Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for communication

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for communication are provided. In an aspect, an apparatus for communication may include a processing system configured to receive a frame configured to assign at least member information or position information for one or more identifiers, and receive a data packet associated with a particular identifier and indicating a number of space-time streams for one or more position information. In another aspect, an apparatus for communication may include a processing system configured to transmit a frame configured to assign at least member information or position information for one or more identifiers, and transmit a data packet associated with a particular identifier and indicating a number of space-time streams for one or more position information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is a continuation application of and claims thebenefit of and right of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/040,731, titled “APPARATUSES, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTSFOR COMMUNICATION,” filed Sep. 30, 2013, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,867,642, the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated byreference herein.

SUMMARY

This disclosure relates, generally, to communication and, morespecifically, to apparatuses, methods, and computer program products forcommunication.

An aspect of an apparatus is disclosed. An apparatus for communicationmay include a processing system configured to receive a frame configuredto assign at least member information or position information for one ormore identifiers, and receive a data packet associated with a particularidentifier and indicating a number of space-time streams for one or moreposition information.

Another aspect of an apparatus is disclosed. An apparatus forcommunication may include means for receiving a frame configured toassign at least member information or position information for one ormore identifiers, and means for receiving a data packet associated witha particular identifier and indicating a number of space-time streamsfor one or more position information.

An aspect of a method is disclosed. A method of communication mayinclude receiving a frame configured to assign at least memberinformation or position information for one or more identifiers, andreceiving a data packet associated with a particular identifier andindicating a number of space-time streams for one or more positioninformation.

An aspect of a computer program product is disclosed. A computer programproduct for an apparatus configured for communication may includenon-transitory computer-readable medium comprising code executable byone or more processors for receiving a frame configured to assign atleast member information or position information for one or moreidentifiers, and receiving a data packet associated with a particularidentifier and indicating a number of space-time streams for one or moreposition information.

Another aspect of an apparatus is disclosed. An apparatus forcommunication may include a processing system configured to transmit aframe configured to assign at least member information or positioninformation for one or more identifiers, and transmit a data packetassociated with a particular identifier and indicating a number ofspace-time streams for one or more position information.

Another aspect of an apparatus is disclosed. An apparatus forcommunication may include means for transmitting a frame configured toassign at least member information or position information for one ormore identifiers, and means for transmitting a data packet associatedwith a particular identifier and indicating a number of space-timestreams for one or more position information.

Another aspect of a method is disclosed. A method of communication mayinclude transmitting a frame configured to assign at least memberinformation or position information for one or more identifiers, andtransmitting a data packet associated with a particular identifier andindicating a number of space-time streams for one or more positioninformation.

Another aspect of a computer program product is disclosed. A computerprogram product for an apparatus configured for communication mayinclude non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising codeexecutable by one or more processors for transmitting a frame configuredto assign at least member information or position information for one ormore identifiers, and transmitting a data packet associated with aparticular identifier and indicating a number of space-time streams forone or more position information.

Other aspects of apparatuses, methods, and computer program productsdescribed herein will become readily apparent to those skilled in theart based on the following detailed description wherein various aspectsof apparatuses, methods, and computer program products are shown anddescribed by way of illustration and/or written description. Theseaspects may be implemented in many different forms and its details maybe modified in various ways without deviating from the scope of theclaims or the disclosure provided herein. Accordingly, the drawings anddetailed description provided herein shall be regarded as non-limitingillustrations/descriptions and not in any way restricting the scope ofthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of apparatuses, methods, and computer program productswill be presented in the detailed description by way of example, and notby way of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Thedrawings provide non-limiting examples of various aspects that may beassociated with the present disclosure, but the drawing are not to beconstrued as limiting any feature of the present disclosure. The word“example” or “exemplary” may be used herein to mean “serving as anon-limiting example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect,embodiment, and/or configuration described herein as “exemplary” or an“example” shall not necessarily be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other aspects, configurations, and/or configurations.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network including a transmitter andone or more receivers.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of various basic service sets.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of various transmissions/receptions.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a data packet.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate examples of various methods of communication.

FIG. 6 illustrates examples of symbols in a data packet.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate examples of various methods of communication.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of various transmissions/receptions of aframe.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of various transmissions/receptions of adata packet.

FIG. 10A illustrates additional examples of varioustransmissions/receptions.

FIG. 10B illustrates an example of a frame.

FIG. 10C illustrates an example of a portion of a data packet.

FIG. 11 illustrates examples of various methods of communication.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a configuration of various receivers.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a use of the configuration illustratedin FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a configuration of various receivers.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a use of the configuration illustratedin FIG. 14.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrates examples of various methods ofcommunication.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a configuration of various receivers.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a use of the configuration illustratedin FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a configuration of various receivers.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a use of the configuration illustratedin FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of data packets associated with FIGS. 19and 20.

FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate examples of various methods ofcommunication.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a configuration of various receivers.

FIG. 24 illustrates an example of a use of the configuration illustratedin FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example of data packets associated with FIGS. 23and 24.

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate a comparison between the example datapackets illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 25.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate examples of various methods of communication.

FIG. 29 illustrates an example of a configuration of various receivers.

FIG. 30 illustrates an example of a use of the configuration illustratedin FIG. 29.

FIGS. 31A-31C illustrate a comparison between the example data packetsillustrated in FIGS. 21 and 30.

FIG. 32 illustrates an example of a conceptual data flow diagram ofvarious apparatuses having various example modules, means, and/orcomponents.

FIG. 33 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of anapparatus having a processing system.

FIG. 34 illustrates an example of a hardware implementation of anotherapparatus having a processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth infra in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well-known structures and components areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network including a transmitter (e.g., TX)and one or more receivers (e.g., RXs). The network may exist in aresidential environment 102, a commercial environment 104, and/or apublic environment 106. A residential environment 102 may include ahouse, an apartment, a condominium, a townhome, and/or any otherenvironment wherein the apparatuses, methods, and/or computer programproducts disclosed herein may implemented. A commercial environment 104may include a business office, a medical office, a dental office, ahotel, a retail store, a restaurant, a coffee shop, and/or any otherenvironment wherein the apparatuses, methods, and/or computer programproducts disclosed herein may implemented. A public environment 106 mayinclude a park, a municipal office, a municipal building, a parkingarea, a train station, a train, an airport, an airplane, a bus station,a bus, a subway station, a subway, a harbor, a terminal, a port, aferry, a cruise ship, and/or any other environment wherein theapparatuses, methods, and/or computer program products disclosed hereinmay implemented.

In some configurations, a transmitter may be an access point (AP). Insome configurations, a receiver may be an AP. In some configurations, atransmitter may provide Internet access. In some configuration, areceiver may provide Internet access. In some configurations, a receivermay be a laptop computer, a mobile phone, a handset device, asmartphone, a tablet device, a desktop computer, a computer display, aprojector, a device used to receive payments, a television display, acamera, a video-recorder, a fax/facsimile machine, a printer, a scanner,a router, a base station, and/or any software and/or hardware moduleand/or component of any one or more of the foregoing apparatuses,whether communicating with the transmitter via a wire or wirelessly.However, these are non-limiting examples of a receiver. Any apparatusthat receives a signal may be a receiver. In some configurations, atransmitter may be a router, an access point, a base station, atransmitter in an ad hoc network, a computing device, and/or anysoftware and/or hardware module and/or component of any one or more ofthe foregoing apparatuses, whether communicating with the receiver via awire or wirelessly. However, these are non-limiting examples of atransmitter. Any apparatus that transmits a signal may be a transmitter.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the network includes a BSS.Receivers within a coverage area 108 and forming some sort ofassociation with each other may form a BSS. In some configurations, atransmitter may be located in the BSS. In the example illustrated inFIG. 1, the transmitter provides Internet access to one or more ofreceivers. Accordingly, the coverage area 108 of the BSS is based on thecoverage area of the transmitter. However, one of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that this is not a limiting configuration of thepresent disclosure. Although FIG. 1 illustrates one transmitter and anumber of receivers in the BSS, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that a fewer or a greater number of transmitters and/orreceivers may be implemented in the BSS without deviating from the scopeof the claims or disclosure provided herein. It will also be understoodby one of ordinary skill in the art that not all of the receiversillustrated in FIG. 1 need to form an association with the transmitterin order to form the BSS. For example, a BSS may include one transmitterand one receiver. As another example, a BSS may include more than onetransmitter and/or more than one receiver.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of various BSSs. For illustrativepurposes, the visual depiction of each BSS includes different types ofreceivers; however, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art that each BSS may include different types and/or quantities ofreceivers without deviating from the scope of the claims or disclosureprovided herein.

BSS 1 is an example of an ad hoc network. A transmitter/receiver (e.g.,TX/RX) may be an apparatus configured to perform peer-to-peercommunication. A transmitter/receiver may be configured to performtransmission and/or reception. In BSS 1, a transmitter/receiver may notbe an AP and therefore may not provide Internet access. As illustratedin FIG. 2, the coverage area of BSS 1 (ad hoc) may be based on thecoverage area of the transmitters/receivers.

BSS 2 and BSS 3 may include a transmitter (e.g., TX), which may be acentral station dedicated to manage the BSS and/or provides Internetaccess to at least one receiver (e.g., RX) in the coverage area of therespective BSS. A BSS including a transmitter may be referred to as aninfrastructure BSS, as depicted in BSS 2 and BSS 3. Infrastructure BSSsmay be interconnected via their respective transmitters through adistribution system (DS). The DS may be an Ethernet connection.Infrastructure BSSs interconnected by the DS may form an extendedservice set (ESS). Stations within the ESS may be able to address eachother directly at the media access control (MAC) layer. The DS mayinclude a server 202.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of various transmissions/receptions. Anexample of a transmission/reception may involve a transmitter (e.g., TX₁302) and one or more receivers (e.g., RX₁ 312 through RX_(Z) 314). Atransmitter may have one or more antennas configured for transmission.For example, in some configurations, the transmitter may have oneantenna (e.g., antenna 304). In some configurations, the transmitter mayhave M number of antennas (e.g., antenna 304 through antenna 306), whereM is an integer greater than one.

A receiver may have one or more antennas configured for reception. Oneor more receivers (e.g., RX₁ 312 through RX_(Z) 314) may receive thetransmission from a transmitter (e.g., TX₁ 302). In some configurations,a receiver (e.g., RX₁ 312) may have one antenna (e.g., antenna 308). Insome configurations, a receiver (e.g., RX₁ 312) may have two antennas(e.g., antennas 308, 316). In some configurations, although notillustrated in FIG. 3, a receiver may have more than two antennas.

One or more receivers may be associated with one or more users. In someconfigurations, each receiver may be associated with a different user(e.g., RX₁ may be associated with User₁, and RX_(Z) may be associatedwith User_(Z)). In some configurations, more than one receiver may beassociated with a single user (e.g., RX₁ through RX_(Z) may beassociated with User₁).

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a feweror greater number of transmitters and/or receivers may be implemented inthe example transmission/reception without deviating from the scope ofthe claims or disclosure provided herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a transmitter may simultaneously transmitindependent data streams to multiple receivers. For example, antenna 304of TX₁ 302 may simultaneously transmit data stream h₁₁ to antenna 308 ofRX₁ 312 and data stream h_(N1) to antenna 310 of RX_(Z) 314. Also,antenna 306 of TX₁ 302 may simultaneously transmit data stream h_(1M) toantenna 308 of RX₁ 312 and data stream h_(NM) to antenna 310 of RX_(Z)314.

If a receiver has more than one antenna, a transmitter maysimultaneously transmit another data stream to that/those additionalantenna(s). For example, simultaneous with the foregoing transmissions,antenna 304 of TX₁ 302 may simultaneously transmit data stream h₂₁ toantenna 316 of RX₁ 312, and antenna 306 of TX₁ 302 may simultaneouslytransmit data stream h_(2M) to antenna 316 of R_(X1) 312.

Accordingly, one or more data streams may be destined to one or morereceivers, each of which may be associated with one or more users. Insome configurations, each data stream may be destined to a differentreceiver, and each receiver may be associated with a different user. Inother configurations, two or more data streams may be destined to asingle receiver, and that receiver may be associated with a single user.In yet other configurations, two or more data streams may be destined totwo or more receivers, and each of those receivers may be associatedwith a single user. Other configurations will be readily apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art and therefore are within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example data packet 400. The data packet 400 maybe a very high throughput (VHT) physical layer convergence procedure(PLCP) protocol data unit (PPDU). The data packet 400 may includevarious fields. Some of the fields may include non-high throughput(non-HT) short training field (L-STF) 402, non-HT long training field(L-LTF) 404, non-HT signal field (L-SIG) 406, VHT Signal A field(VHT-SIG-A) 408, VHT short training field (VHT-STF) 410, VHT longtraining field (VHT-LTF) 412, and VHT Signal B field (VHT-SIG-B) 414.

The data packet 400 may also include data portions in one or morespace-time streams (STSs). One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand and appreciate that anything described herein as a ‘dataportion’ and/or ‘data’ may, alternatively, be known as ‘payload,’‘actual data,’ and/or ‘body data.’ The foregoing may include the body orcargo of the data being transmitted and/or received and may refer to theportion of a data packet that excludes overhead data, metadata, and/orheaders. Accordingly, because one of ordinary skill in the artappreciates and understands that the foregoing terms may be usedinterchangeably with reference to a similar concept, the examples,descriptions and/or illustrations provided herein shall not be construedto limit the scope of the claims or disclosure provided herein.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the data packet 400 includes four(4) space-time streams (STSs); however, one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the data packet 400 may include a fewer or agreater number of space-time streams without deviating from the scope ofthe claims or the disclosure provided herein. In FIG. 4, the dataportions of the different space-time streams are illustrated as data416, 418, 420, 422. The data 416, 418, 420, 422 may each carry one ormore PLCP service data units (PSDUs). The data 416, 418, 420, 422 mayeach be associated with a different space-time stream. For example, data416 may be associated with a first space-time stream (e.g., STS 1), data418 may be associated with a second space-time stream (e.g., STS 2),data 420 may be associated with a third space-time stream (e.g., STS 3),and data 422 may be associated with a fourth space-time stream (e.g.,STS 4).

The data packet 400 may be a single-user (SU) data packet or amulti-user (MU) data packet. A single-user data packet may be addressedor destined to one receiver and/or one user. A multi-user data packetmay be addressed or destined to more than one receiver and/or more thanone user. The example data packet 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 is amulti-user data packet having four space-time streams (e.g., STS 1, STS2, STS 3, STS 4). Although not illustrated in FIG. 4, it will beunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the data packet 400may, in some configurations, be a single-user data packet withoutdeviating from the scope of the claims or the disclosure providedherein. It will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the artthat any other number of space-time streams may be included in the datapacket 400 without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.For example, in some configurations, the data packet 400 may have up toeight space-time streams. In some other configurations, the data packetmay have one space-time stream. Other configurations of STSs will bereadily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Various data packets may have different formats. Accordingly, atransmitter may need to differentiate the format of a data packet to betransmitted. Also, a receiver may need to differentiate the format of adata packet that is received. Differentiating the format of the datapacket may be useful for processing, encoding, decoding, modulatingand/or demodulating the data packet.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate example methods of communication. In someconfigurations, a transmitter may perform the method 500 illustrated inFIG. 5A. At 502, the transmitter may transmit a frame. For example,referring to FIG. 10A, the TX may transmit the frame 800 to RX. Thetransmitter may transmit more than one frame to more than one receiverat various times. Each frame may be individually addressed to aparticular receiver. Different frames may be transmitted at differenttimes. For example, referring to FIG. 8, the TX may transmit the frame800-1 to RX 1 at time t₁ and transmit the frame 800-2 to RX 2 at timet₂. In this example, the frame 800-1 is addressed to RX 1, and the frame800-2 is addressed to RX 2.

Referring back to FIG. 5A, at 504, the transmitter may transmit a datapacket comprising at least two consecutive symbols that differentiatethe data packet as a VHT data packet based on a reference symbol andeither a preceding symbol or a subsequent symbol. FIG. 6 illustratesexample symbols in the data packet. For example, referring to FIG. 6,the transmitter may transmit the following consecutive symbols: symbol620, symbol 622, and symbol 624.

Referring back to FIG. 4, such symbols may be included in one or more ofthe fields 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, and/or 414. In someconfigurations, the symbols 620, 622, 624 are included in L-STF 402. Insome configurations, the symbols 620, 622, 624 are included in the L-LTF404. In some configurations, the symbols 620, 622, 624 are included inL-SIG 406. In some configurations, the symbols 620, 622, 624 areincluded in the VHT-SIG-A 408. In some configurations, the symbols 620,622, 624 are included in VHT-STF 410. In some configurations, thesymbols 620, 622, 624 are included in VHT-LTF 412. In someconfigurations, the symbols 620, 622, 624 are included in VHT-SIG-B 414.In some configurations, the symbols 620, 622, 624 are included in atleast data 416, data 418, data 420, and/or data 422.

As described supra, the data packet may be one of (at least) threeformat types: non-HT, non-VHT format 602; HT, non-VHT format 604; or VHTformat 606. The specific configuration of the IQ plots of the symbols620, 622, 624 may differentiate the data packet 400 among the differentformat types, as described in further detail infra.

One modulation technique is called ‘IQ Modulation,’ where ‘I’ may referto an ‘in-phase’ component of the waveform, and ‘Q’ may represent the‘quadrature’ component. In an aspect, IQ modulation is an efficient wayto transfer information. A carrier may be modulated with a waveform thatchanges the carrier frequency. Accordingly, the modulating signal may betreated as a phasor. A receiver that receives a signal may decipherinformation by reading the ‘I’ and ‘Q’ components of the signal.Additional aspects of IQ modulation are readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art.

In some configurations, a receiver may perform the method 550illustrated in FIG. 5B. Referring to FIG. 5B, at 552, a receiver mayreceive the frame and, at 554, the receiver may receive a data packetcomprising at least two consecutive symbols. The at least twoconsecutive symbols may include a reference symbol and at least apreceding symbol or a subsequent symbol.

At 556, the receiver may differentiate the data packet as a VHT datapacket based on a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol. For example,referring to FIG. 6, the reference symbol may be the symbol 622, and thesubsequent symbol may be the symbol 624.

In some configurations, the receiver may differentiate the data packetas a VHT data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when thesubsequent symbol (e.g., symbol 624) is modulated using quadraturebinary phase shift keying (QBPSK). As illustrated in FIG. 6, the symbol624 in VHT format 606 is QBPSK-modulated. However, the symbol 624 innon-VHT format 604 may not be QBPSK-modulated. Also, the symbol 624 innon-VHT format 602 may not be QBPSK-modulated.

In some configurations, the receiver may differentiate the data packetas a VHT data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when thesubsequent symbol (e.g., symbol 624) has a 90° counter-clockwiserotation relative to the reference symbol (e.g., symbol 622). Forexample, referring to FIG. 6, the symbol 624 in VHT format 606 has a 90°counter-clockwise rotation relative to the symbol 622 in the (same) VHTformat 606. In comparison, the symbol 624 in non-VHT format 604 may nothave a 90° counter-clockwise rotation relative to the symbol 622 in the(same) non-VHT format 604. Also, the symbol 624 in non-VHT format 602may not have a 90° counter-clockwise rotation relative to the symbol 622in the (same) non-VHT format 602.

Referring back to FIG. 5B, at 558, the receiver may differentiate thedata packet as a VHT data packet based on a reference symbol and apreceding symbol. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the reference symbolmay be the symbol 622, and the preceding symbol may be the symbol 620.

In some configurations, the receiver may differentiate the data packetas a VHT data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when thereference symbol (e.g., symbol 622) and the preceding symbol (e.g.,symbol 620) are binary phase shift keying (BPSK)-modulated. For example,referring to FIG. 6, the symbol 622 in VHT format 606 is BPSK-modulated,and the symbol 620 in VHT format 606 is (also) BPSK-modulated. Incomparison, the symbols 620, 622 in non-VHT format 604 may not both beBPSK-modulated. For example, the symbol 622 in non-VHT format 604 may beQBPSK-modulated (i.e., not BPSK-modulated). Also, the symbols 620, 622in non-VHT format 602 may not both be BPSK-modulated.

In some configurations, the receiver may differentiate the data packetas a VHT data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when thereference symbol (e.g., symbol 622) has no rotation relative to thepreceding symbol (e.g., symbol 620). For example, referring to FIG. 6,the symbol 622 in the VHT format 606 has no rotation relative to thesymbol 620 in the (same) VHT format 606. In comparison, the symbol 622in non-VHT format 604 may have a 90° counter-clockwise rotation relativeto the symbol 620 in the (same) non-VHT format 604. Also, the symbol 622in non-VHT format 602 may have at least some rotation relative to thesymbol 620 in the (same) non-VHT format 602.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate example methods of communication. In someconfigurations, a transmitter may perform the method 700 illustrated inFIG. 7A. In some configurations, a receiver may perform the method 750illustrated in FIG. 7B.

At 702, a transmitter may transmit a frame. In some configurations, thetransmitter may transmit a frame configured to assign at least memberinformation or position information for one or more identifiers. At 752,a receiver may receive the frame. In some configurations, the receivermay receive a frame configured to assign at least member information orposition information for one or more identifiers. As described suprawith reference to FIG. 10A, the TX may transmit the frame 800, and theRX may receive the frame 800.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of transmissions/receptions of a frame.The transmitter (e.g. TX) may transmit one or more frames (e.g., frames800-1 through 800-6) to one or more receivers (e.g., RXs 1-6) at varioustimes. Each frame may be individually addressed to a particularreceiver. In this example, the frame 800-1 is addressed to RX 1, and theframe 800-2 is addressed to RX 2. Different frames may be transmitted atdifferent times. In some configurations, the transmitter may transmit aframe to a destination at a time that is different from a transmissiontime of a different frame addressed to a different destination. Forexample, referring to FIG. 8, the TX may transmit the frame 800-1 to RX1 at time t₁ and transmit the frame 800-2 to RX 2 at time t₂.Accordingly, in some configurations, the receiver may receive the frameat a time that is different from a reception time of a different frameaddressed to a different destination. For example, referring to FIG. 8,RX 1 may receive the frame 800-1 from TX at time t₁, and RX 2 mayreceive the frame 800-2 from TX at time t₂.

In some configurations, the transmitter may transmit the frame to thereceiver after the receiver joins a basic service set (BSS) associatedwith the transmitter. Accordingly, the receiver may receive the framefrom the transmitter after the receiver joins the BSS. For example,referring to FIG. 8, the TX may transmit a frame 800 to an RX after theRX joins the BSS.

The frame 800 may be provided at various rates. The frame 800 may beprovided at various times. In some configurations, a TX may transmit aframe 800 to an RX at a constant rate (e.g., one frame every 1 second)after the RX joins the BSS. In some configurations, the transmitter maytransmit the frame at a rate based on at least traffic patterns orchannel characteristics. Accordingly, in some configurations, thereceiver may receive the frame at a rate based on at least trafficpatterns or channel characteristics.

For example, the TX may increase the rate of transmission of the frame(e.g., one frame every 0.5 seconds) when a channel characteristicindicates poor channel quality and, conversely, decrease the rate oftransmission of the frame (e.g., to every 1.5 seconds) when a channelcharacteristic indicates good channel quality. Also, for example, a TXmay increase the rate of transmission of the frame (e.g., one frameevery 0.5 seconds) when the traffic patterns indicate low channeltraffic and, conversely, decrease the rate of transmission of the frame(e.g., one frame every 1.5 seconds) when the traffic patterns indicatehigh channel traffic.

In some configurations, the frame may be configured to assign or changeposition information and/or member information of the receiver. Forexample, referring to FIG. 10B, the frame 800 may include memberinformation (MI) 1006 and position information (PI) 1008.

The MI 1006 included in the frame 800 may indicate whether the receiverof the frame is a member of a group of recipients associated with aparticular identifier (ID). The MI 1006 may include a single bit orsymbol. A transmitter may transmit the frame 800 in order to assign orchange the member information and/or position information of a receiverfor one or more IDs.

If the receiver receiving the frame is not a member of the group ofrecipients associated with a particular ID value, the MI 1006 may have afirst value (e.g., 0) in order to inform the receiver that that receiveris not a member of the group associated with that ID value. Incomparison, if the receiver receiving the frame is a member of a groupof recipients associated with a particular ID value, the MI 1006 mayhave a second value (e.g., 1) in order to inform that receiver that thatreceiver is a member of the group associated with that ID value.

If the receiver is a member of the group of receivers associated with aparticular ID, then that receiver may also be assigned a positioninformation (PI). To determine which of and/or how many space-timestreams are destined to that particular receiver (rather than otherreceivers associated with the same ID), the receiver may use the PI1008. The PI 1008 may provide the receiver with information to determinewhich of and/or how many space-time streams are destined to thatparticular receiver (rather than other receivers associated with thesame ID).

Referring to FIG. 7B, at 754, the receiver may transmit anacknowledgement (ACK) in response to receiving the frame. Referring toFIG. 7A, at 704, the transmitter may receive the ACK in response totransmitting the frame. For example, referring to FIG. 10A, the RX maytransmit the ACK 1002, and the TX may receive the ACK 1002. The ACK mayindicate to the transmitter that the receiver to which the frame wasaddressed has successfully received the frame.

Referring to FIG. 7A, at 706, the transmitter may transmit a datapacket. In some configurations, the data packet may be transmitted afterreceiving the ACK from the receiver. In some configurations, the datapacket may be associated with a particular identifier and indicating anumber of space-time streams for one or more position information, asdescribed in further detail infra.

Referring to FIG. 7B, at 756, the receiver may receive the data packet.In some configurations, the data packet may be received aftertransmitting the ACK to the transmitter. In some configurations, thedata packet may be associated with a particular identifier andindicating a number of space-time streams for one or more positioninformation, as described in further detail infra.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of transmissions/receptions of a datapacket. Referring to FIG. 9, the TX transmits the data packet 900, andvarious receivers (e.g., RXs 1-6) receive the data packet 900. Thetransmitter may transmit the data packet to one or more receivers at thesame time. Accordingly, one or more receivers may receive the datapacket at the same time. For example, referring to FIG. 9, the TX maytransmit data packet 900 to RXs 1-6 at the same time (e.g., time t_(x)).In some configurations, the transmitter may transmit different datapackets at different times.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10A, 10C, the data packet 900 may include aportion 910. In some configurations, the portion 910 may include an IDfield 1012, various N-fields 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020, and various otherportions 1010, 1022. The ID field 1012 may include six bits or symbols.Each N-field 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020 may include three bits or symbols.

The value in the ID field 1012 may indicate whether the data packet 900is a single-user data packet or multi-user data packet. A first subsetof possible values (e.g., 1-62) in the ID field 1012 may indicate thatthe data packet 900 is a multi-user data packet. A second subset ofpossible values (e.g., 0 or 63) in the ID field 1012 may indicate thatthe data packet 900 is a single-user data packet.

If the value in the ID field 1012 is a value in the second subset ofpossible values (e.g., 0 or 63), thereby indicating that the data packetis a single-user data packet, the N-fields 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020 mayinclude partial associated identifiers that provide an abbreviatedindication of the intended recipient of the data packet 900. Forexample, the N-field 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020 may, collectively, indicatea number of space-time streams and the abbreviated indication of theintended recipient of the data packet.

If the value in the ID field 1012 is a value in the first subset ofpossible values (e.g., 1-62), thereby indicating that the data packet900 is a multi-user data packet, the N-fields 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020 mayindicate the number of data portions and/or space-time streamsassociated with a particular position information. In someconfigurations, the position information may be a two-bit value. Forexample, the position information may have a value of [00], [01], [10],or [11]. In some configurations, the position information may be aone-bit value. For example, the position information may have a value of[0], [1], [2], or [3]. In some configurations, the receiver may encodethe two-bit value into/as a one-bit value.

As an example, a value of one (1) in N-field 1014 may indicate that one(1) space-time stream in the data packet 900 is destined to the receiverassigned position information [0]. As another example, a value of two(2) in N-field 1014 may indicate that two (2) space-time streams in thedata packet 900 are destined to the receiver assigned positioninformation [0].

As described supra, the portion 910 may indicate a number of space-timestreams associated with the position information of a receiver. Theposition information may be associated with an identifier (ID). Thenumber of space-time streams may be associated with the identifier (ID).As illustrated in FIG. 10C, the portion 910 indicates a number (N) ofspace-time streams associated with the position information (e.g., [0],[1], [2], [3]) of a receiver for a particular value in the ID field1012. For example, for a particular value in the ID field 1012, thenumber (N) of space-time streams associated with PI values of [0], [1],[2], [3] is based on the value in the fields 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020,respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 10A-10C, the frame 800 may assign the MI 1006 and/orPI 1008 of a receiver. Based on the MI 1006 assigned by the frame 800,the receiver may determine whether that receiver are be a destination ofany space-time stream included in a forthcoming data packet 900associated with a particular ID 1012. If that receiver is a destinationof any space-time stream included in that data packet 900, the PI 1008may indicate which and/or how many of the space-time streams in thatdata packet 900 are destined to that particular receiver (rather thanother receivers in the group of receivers associated with thatparticular ID).

FIG. 11 illustrates various example methods of communication. FIG. 12illustrates an example configuration of various receivers. FIG. 13illustrates an example use of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 12.

In some configurations, a receiver may perform the method 1100illustrated in FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 11, at 1102, one or morereceivers may receive a frame.

Referring to FIG. 12, lookup tables 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212include MI and/or PI for RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, RX 6,respectively. Lookup tables 1202, 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210, 1212 may bemanaged by the frame respectively destined to RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX5, RX 6. A frame respectively destined to RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5,RX 6 may include a similar lookup table. After receiving the frame, thereceiver may replace values included in its current lookup table withvalues included in the lookup table in the frame. Accordingly, in someconfigurations, assigning at least the MI or the PI may includereplacing values stored in the receiver with values in the frame.

Referring to FIG. 12, RXs 1-6 may each receive a frame that assigns theMI and/or PI of that RX. For instance, RX 1 receives a frame addressedto RX 1. From that frame, RX 1 receives MI values for ID values 0through n, as illustrated in table 1202. In this example, the MI valuefor all ID values is zero except for an ID value of 10, which has an MIvalue of one (1). Because the MI value for RX 1 is equal to one (1) forID=10, RX 1 is a member of the group of receivers associated with ID=10.Because the MI value for RX 1 is zero for all other ID values, RX 1 isnot a member of any other group of receivers associated with any otherID value.

Also from the frame, RX 1 receives PI values for all ID values for whichRX 1 is a member. In some configurations, the position information isassigned for each of the one or more identifiers to which the apparatusis a member. For example, because RX 1 is a member of the group ofreceivers associated with ID=10, RX 1 receives PI associated with ID=10.As illustrated in table 1202, the PI may be a subfield value, such as[00], and/or an encoded value, such as [0].

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the frame received by RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5,RX 6 populates their respective lookup tables 1204, 1206, 1208, 1210,1212. As illustrated in their respective lookup tables 1204, 1206, 1208,RXs 2-4 are also members of the group of recipients associated withID=10, because their MI value for ID=10 is equal to one (1).Accordingly, RXs 2-4 also receive PI values associated with ID=10. Asillustrated in their respective lookup tables 1204, 1206, 1208, RXs 2-4receive respective subfield PI values of [01], [10], [11] and/orrespective encoded PI values of [1], [2], [3] for ID=10 (but not for anyother ID values). However, RXs 5-6 are not members of any group ofrecipients, because their MI value for all IDs is zero. Accordingly, RX5 and RX 6 do not have subfield PI values nor encoded PI values, asillustrated in lookup tables 1210, 1212.

Referring back to FIG. 11, in some configurations, at 1104, the receivermay transmit an ACK corresponding to the frame. At 1106, the receivermay receive a data packet. For example, referring to FIG. 13, thereceiver may receive the data packet 1300. The data packet 1300 may havethe portion 1310, which includes the ID field 1312 and N-fields 1314,1316, 1318, 1320 respectively corresponding to PI values of [0], [1],[2], [3].

A first portion (e.g., N-field 1314) may indicate a number of space-timestreams (e.g., one STS) associated with a first position information(e.g., PI=[0]). A second portion (e.g., N-field 1316) may indicate anumber of space-time streams (e.g., one STS) associated with a secondposition information (e.g., PI=[1]).

The data packet 1300 includes four space-time streams (e.g., STSs 1-4)respectively including data portions 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308. Based onthe PI values assigned by the frame, and the values in the N-fields1314, 1316, 1318, 1320, each RX can determine how many and/or whichspace-time stream is destined to that particular RX.

Referring back to FIG. 11, at 1108, the receiver may determine whetherthe receiver is a destination of one or more space-time streams in thedata packet. In some configurations, the receiver may determine whetherthe apparatus is a destination of one or more space-time streams in thedata packet based on whether the particular identifier with which thedata packet is associated corresponds to at least one of the identifiersfor which a position information was assigned by the frame. For example,as illustrated in table 1202′ in FIG. 13, RX 1 is assigned PI=[0] forID=10. Because the value of 10 in the ID field 1312 of the data packet1300 matches the ID (e.g., 10) for which RX 1 has been assigned aposition information (e.g., PI=[0]) by the frame, RX 1 determines thatRX 1 is a destination of at least one space-time stream in the datapacket 1300.

In comparison, if the value in the ID field 1312 of the portion 1310 ofthe data packet 1300 were any value other than 10 and, therefore, didnot match the ID (e.g., 10) for which RX 1 has been assigned a positioninformation, then RX 1 would determine that RX 1 is not a destination ofone or more space-time streams in the data packet 1300.

Because the value of 10 in the ID field 1312 matches the ID (e.g., 10)for which RXs 2-4 have been assigned a position information by the frame(see tables 1204′, 1206′, 1208′ in FIG. 13), RXs 2-4 also determine thatRXs 2-4 are destinations of one or more space-time streams in the datapacket 1300.

In some configurations, the receiver may determine a number ofspace-time streams in the data packet destined to the receiver based onthe position information assigned by the frame. For example, referringto FIG. 13, RX 1 may determine that one (1) space-time stream in thedata packet is destined to RX 1 based on the PI value (e.g., [0])assigned by the frame. Because N[0]=1 (see N-field 1314), RX 1determines that one (1) space-time stream (e.g., the space-time streamincluding data 1302) is destined to RX 1.

Referring back to FIG. 11, at 1110, the receiver may process one or morespace-time streams in the data packet. Based on the PI assigned to thereceiver by the frame, the receiver may determine which and/or how manyspace-time streams are destined to that particular receiver. Forexample, as illustrated in table 1202′ in FIG. 13, RX 1 is assignedPI=[0]. Accordingly, RX 1 may detect the value in N-field 1314 (becauseN-field 1314 indicates the number of space-time streams destined to thereceiver assigned PI=[0]). Because N-field 1314 indicates a value of one(1), RX 1 may determine that only one (1) space-time stream is destinedto RX 1.

Further, because PI=[0] is the lowest possible PI value (e.g., PI cannothave a value lower than zero), RX 1 may determine that no other N-fieldsprecede the N-field corresponding to the PI assigned to that receiver.Accordingly, RX 1 may determine that RX 1 is the destination of thefirst space-time stream (e.g., STS 1). After determining that STS 1 isdestined to RX 1, RX 1 may process STS 1, which includes data portion1302.

Referring back to FIG. 11, at 1112, the receiver may refrain fromprocessing one or more space-time streams in the data packet. In someconfigurations, the receiver may refrain from processing all space-timestreams in the data packet when the particular identifier with which thedata packet is associated does not correspond to an identifier for whicha position information was assigned by the frame. For example, referringto FIG. 13, assume that the ID field 1312 had a value of 11 (instead ofthe value 10, as illustrated in FIG. 13). If the particular identifier(e.g., the value in the ID field 1312) of the data packet 1300 has thevalue 11 (instead of 10), RXs 1-4 my refrain from processing allspace-time in the data packet 1300 because the particular identifier(e.g., ID=11) of the data packet 1300 would not correspond to anidentifier (e.g., ID=10) for which a PI was assigned by the frame (e.g.,RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4 were assigned PI values of [0], [1], [2], [3],respectively, for ID=10 but not for ID=11).

In some configurations, referring to FIG. 13, after determining thatonly the first space-time stream (e.g., STS 1) is destined to RX 1, RX 1may refrain from processing other space-time streams in the data packet1300. Accordingly, RX 1 may refrain from processing STSs 2-4.

Referring back to FIG. 11, at 1114, the receiver may consider otherinformation to determine which of the space-time streams to process. Forexample, as illustrated in table 1204′ in FIG. 13, RX 2 is assignedPI=[1]. Accordingly, RX 2 may detect the value in N-field 1316 (becauseN-field 1316 indicates the number of space-time streams destined to thereceiver assigned PI=[1]). Because N-field 1316 indicates a value of one(1), RX 2 may determine that only one (1) space-time stream is destinedto RX 2.

However, because PI=[1] is not the lowest possible PI value, RX 2 maydetermine that other N-fields precede the N-field corresponding to thePI assigned to that receiver. For example, N-field 1314 (correspondingto PI=[0]) precedes N-field 1316 (corresponding to PI=[1]). As such, thereceiver may consider the sum of the values in all N-fields that precedethe N-field corresponding to the PI assigned to that receiver. Forexample, RX 2 may consider the sum of the values in N-field 1314, thesum of which is one. Accordingly, RX 2 may determine that the firstspace-time stream (e.g., STS 1) in the data packet 1300 is not destinedto RX 2. As such, RX 2 may determine that STS 2 is the first space-timestream destined to RX 2. Also, because the value in the N-field 1316 isone (1), RX 2 may determine that only one space-time stream (e.g., STS2) is destined to RX 2. Accordingly, RX 2 may process STS 2, whichincludes data portion 1304. Additionally, RX 2 may refrain fromprocessing other space-time streams in the data packet 1300.Accordingly, RX 2 may refrain from processing STS 1, STS 3, STS 4, whichinclude data 1302, data 1306, data 1308, respectively.

As illustrated in table 1206′ in FIG. 13, RX 3 is assigned PI=[2].Accordingly, RX 3 may detect the value in N-field 1318 (because N-field1318 indicates the number of space-time streams destined to the receiverassigned to PI=[2]). Because N-field 1318 indicates a value of one, RX 3may determine that only one (1) space-time stream is destined to RX 3.However, because PI=[2] is not the lowest possible PI value, RX 3 maydetermine that other N-fields precede the N-field corresponding to thePI assigned to that receiver. For example, N-field 1314 (correspondingto PI=[0]) and N-field 1316 (corresponding to PI=[1]) precede N-field1318 (corresponding to PI=[2]). As such, the receiver may consider thesum of the values in all N-fields that precede the N-field correspondingto the PI assigned to that receiver. For example, RX 3 may consider thesum of the values in N-fields 1314, 1316, the sum of which is two.Accordingly, RX 3 may determine that the first two space-time streams(e.g., STSs 1-2) in the data packet 1300 are not destined to RX 3. Assuch, RX 3 may determine that STS 3 is the first space-time streamdestined to RX 3. Also, because the value in the N-field 1318 is one, RX3 may determine that only one space-time stream (e.g., STS 3) isdestined to RX 3. Accordingly, RX 3 may process STS 3, which includesdata portion 1306. Additionally, RX 3 may refrain from processing otherspace-time streams in the data packet 1300. Accordingly, RX 3 mayrefrain from processing STS 1, STS 2, STS 4, which include data 1302,data 1304, data 1308, respectively.

As illustrated in table 1208′ in FIG. 13, RX 4 is assigned PI=[3].Accordingly, RX 4 may detect the value in N-field 1320 (because N-field1320 indicates the number of space-time streams destined to the receiverassigned to PI=[3]). Because N-field 1320 indicates a value of one (1),RX 4 may determine that only one (1) space-time stream is destined to RX4. However, because PI=[3] is not the lowest possible PI value, RX 4 maydetermine that other N-fields precede the N-field corresponding to thePI assigned to that receiver. For example, N-field 1314 (correspondingto PI=[0]), N-field 1316 (corresponding to PI=[1]), and N-field 1318(corresponding to PI=[2]) precede N-field 1320 (corresponding toPI=[3]). As such, the receiver may consider the sum of the values in allN-fields that precede the N-field corresponding to the PI assigned tothat receiver. For example, RX 4 may consider the sum of the values inN-fields 1314, 1316, 1318, the sum of which is three. Accordingly, RX 4may determine that the first three space-time streams (e.g., STSs 1-3)in the data packet 1300 are not destined to RX 4. Further, RX 4 maydetermine that STS 4 is the first space-time stream destined to RX 4.Also, because the value in the N-field 1320 is one, RX 4 may determinethat only one space-time stream (e.g., STS 4) is destined to RX 4.Accordingly, RX 4 may process STS 4, which includes data portion 1308.Additionally, RX 4 may refrain from processing other space-time streamsin the data packet 1300. As such, RX 4 may refrain from processing STS1, STS 2, STS 3, which include data 1302, data 1304, data 1306,respectively.

In some configurations, the receiver may consider a number of space-timestreams associated with position information different from the positioninformation assigned by the frame to determine which of the space-timestreams in the data packet are destined to the receiver. For example,referring to FIG. 13, RX 4 may consider the number of space-time streamsassociated with PI=[0], PI=[1], and PI=[2] (which are all different fromPI=[3], which is assigned to RX 4 by the frame) to determine which ofthe space-time streams in the data packet are destined to RX 4. Aconsideration of the number of space-time streams associated withPI=[0], PI=[1], and PI=[2] may reveal that three space-time streams(e.g., the sum of the values of N-fields 1314, 1316, 1318) precede thespace-time stream destined to RX 4. Based on this consideration, RX 4may determine that the space-time stream destined to RX 4 begins afterthose three space-time streams. More specifically, RX 4 may determinethat the space-time stream including data 1302, 1304, 1306 are destinedto other destinations, and the space-time stream including data 1308 isdestined to RX 4.

In some configurations, a receiver may determine that a first space-timestream of one or more space-time streams destined to a first destinationbegins after a last space-time stream of one or more space-time streamsdestined to a second destination. For example, referring to FIG. 13, RX4 may determine that the first space-time stream (e.g., the space-timestream including data 1308) destined to RX 4 begins after the lastspace-time (e.g., the space-time stream including data 1306) destined toRX 3.

As illustrated in the examples herein, a frame and a portion of a datapacket (and the values/information contained respectively therein) maybe used to determine a number of space-time streams destined to aparticular receiver. Further, a frame and a portion of a data packet(and the values/information contained respectively therein) may be usedto determine a chronology, order, and/or sequence corresponding to thedestination(s) of one or more space-time streams in the data packet.

In some configurations, the same position information may be assignableto more than one receiver. In some configurations, the destination ofone or more space-time streams may be a single receiver. Accordingly, asingle receiver may be the only destination of the space-time streamsassociated with the position information of that (single) receiver. Insome configurations, the destination of one or more space-time streamsmay be a plurality of receivers. Accordingly, two or more receivers mayeach be the destination of one or more space-time streams. In someconfigurations, a particular position information may be assigned toonly one destination/receiver. In some configurations, a particularposition information may be assigned to a plurality ofdestinations/receivers. Accordingly, two or more destinations/receiversassigned the same position information may receive the same space-timestreams, if any, associated with that position information.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example configuration of various receivers. FIG.15 illustrates an example use of the configuration illustrated in FIG.14.

The data destined to each receiver may be associated with a particularquality of service (QoS), or some information related thereto. The QoSof the data may be associated with the priority or importance of thedata. Accordingly, it may be preferential for data having a higher QoS(relative to other data having a lower QoS) to be transmitted and/orreceived before other data (having the lower QoS). For illustrativepurposes, the examples provided herein describe the QoS associated withthe data destined to RXs 1-6 as having different values (e.g., QoS mayhave a value of 0 through 6, where a higher QoS value indicates a higherQoS or priority, and a lower QoS value indicates a lower QoS orpriority). However, it is understood that some or all of the datadestined to RXs 1-6 may have the same QoS without deviating from thescope of the claims or disclosure provided herein.

In an aspect, FIG. 14 illustrates an example configuration of sixreceivers being randomly assigned MI and/or PI (e.g., MI and PI are notassigned based on QoS information). However, as illustrated in FIG. 15,each data packet 1500, 1550 may only be able to hold four differentspace-time streams. In this example, each of the receivers is adestination of a different space-time stream. Accordingly, the number ofreceivers (e.g., six receivers) destined to receive a differentspace-time stream exceeds the number of space-time streams (e.g., fourSTSs) in a single data packet. Therefore, some space-time streams (e.g.,four STSs) may need to be included in a first-transmitted data packet1500, and some space-time steams (e.g., two STSs) may need to beincluded in a subsequently-transmitted data packet 1550.

Tables 1402, 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410, 1412 illustrate the MI and PIassigned by the frame received by RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, RX 6,respectively. Based on the random MI and PI assigned by the frameaddressed to RX 1, RX 1 is assigned as a member of ID=10 (e.g., MI=1with respect to ID=10). Also, RX 1 is assigned PI=[0] with respect toID=10. Based on the random MI and PI assigned by the frame addressed toRX 2, RX 2 is assigned as a member of ID=10 and is assigned PI=[1] withrespect to ID=10. Based on the random MI and PI assigned by the frameaddressed to RX 3, RX 3 is assigned as a member of ID=10 and is assignedPI=[2] with respect to ID=10. Based on the random MI and PI assigned bythe frame addressed to RX 4, RX 4 is assigned as a member of ID=10 andis assigned PI=[3] with respect to ID=10.

Referring to FIG. 15, the first-transmitted data packet 1500 has no morethan four space-time streams to carry the data respectively destined tofour different receivers. In this example, the number of data portionsdestined to different destinations is greater than the number ofspace-time streams available in a single data packet. For example,referring to FIG. 15, the number of data portions destined to differentdestinations (e.g., receivers) is six. In this example, the number ofspace-time streams available in a single data packet is four.Accordingly, the number of data portions destined to differentdestinations is greater than the number of space-time streams availablein a single data packet.

Accordingly, the data destined to RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4 may be includedin data portions 1502, 1504, 1506, 1508, respectively. However, anydifferent data destined to any other receiver may not be accommodated inthe first-transmitted data packet 1500. Accordingly, the data destinedto RXs 5-6 may not be included in the first-transmitted data packet 1500and, thus, may be included in the subsequently-transmitted data packet1550.

Accordingly, referring back to FIG. 14, based on the random MI and PIassigned by the frame addressed to RX 5, RX 5 is assigned as a member ofID=11 and is assigned PI=[0] with respect to ID=11. Based on the randomMI and PI assigned by the frame addressed to RX 6, RX 6 is assigned as amember of ID=11 and is assigned PI=[1] with respect to ID=11. Asillustrated in FIG. 15, the data destined to RX 5 is included in thedata portion 1552 of the subsequently-transmitted data packet 1550.Also, the data destined to RX 6 is included in data portion 1554 of thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 1550.

As described in greater detail supra, FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate anexample configuration where six receivers are randomly assigned MIand/or PI (e.g., MI and PI are not assigned based on QoS information).However, each data packet 1500, 1550 may only hold up to four space-timestreams. As illustrated in FIG. 15, such a random assignment of MI andPI may result in data having a lower QoS being transmitted (and thusreceived) before data having a higher QoS. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 15, the data destined to RX 2 has the lowest QoS value (e.g.,QoS=1) but is included in the first-transmitted data packet 1500. Incomparison, the data destined to RX 5 has the highest QoS value (e.g.,QoS=6) but is included in the subsequently-transmitted data packet 1550.As such, data having a lower QoS (e.g., priority) is transmitted (andthus received) at an earlier time relative to data having a higher QoS.In some circumstances, it may be preferred for data having a higher QoSto be transmitted (and thus received) before data having a lower QoS.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate various example methods of communication.In some configurations, a transmitter may perform the method 1600illustrated in FIG. 16A. In some configurations, a receiver may performthe method 1650 illustrated in FIG. 16B. FIG. 17 illustrates an exampleconfiguration of various receivers. FIG. 18 illustrates an example useof the configuration illustrated in FIG. 17.

Referring to FIG. 16A, at 1602, a transmitter may determine that thenumber of data portions destined to different receivers is greater thanthe number of space-time streams available in a single data packet. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, a transmitter may determine thatsix receivers (e.g., RXs 1-6) are destined to receive different dataportions but only four space-time streams in each data packet 1500,1550. Accordingly, the transmitter may determine that the number of dataportions destined to different receivers is greater than the number ofspace-time streams available in a single data packet.

Referring back to FIG. 16A, at 1604, the transmitter may determine theQoS of data portions destined to the different RXs. For example,referring to FIG. 17, the transmitter may determine that the QoS of thedata destined to RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, RX 6 is QoS=4, QoS=1,QoS=3, QoS=2, QoS=6, QoS=5, respectively.

Referring back to FIG. 16A, at 1606, the transmitter may transmit one ormore frames configured to assign the MI and/or PI of the differentreceivers according to the QoS of their respective data portion.Accordingly, at 1652, a receiver may receive a frame configured toassign the MI and/or PI of that receiver according to the QoS of thedata portion destined to that receiver. In some circumstances, it may bepreferred for data having a higher QoS to be transmitted (and thusreceived) before data having a lower QoS.

In some configurations, at least the member information or the positioninformation is assigned by the frame according to the QoS of the dataportion destined to the destination (e.g., receiver/apparatus). Forexample, referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the data destined to RX 5 isassign as a member of ID=10, which corresponds to the first-transmitteddata packet 1800 (see FIG. 18), because the data destined to RX 5 hasthe highest QoS value (e.g., QoS=6). Accordingly, in tables 1710, MI=1with respect to ID=10, and MI=0 with respect to all other ID values (seeFIG. 17).

Because the data destined to RX 6, RX 1, RX 3 have the next-highest QoSvalues (e.g., QoS=5, QoS=4, QoS=3, respectively), RX 6, RX 1, RX 3 arealso assigned as a member of ID=10, which corresponds to thefirst-transmitted data packet 1800 (see FIG. 18). Accordingly, in tables1712, 1702, 1706, MI=1 with respect to ID=10, and MI=0 with respect toother ID values (see FIG. 17).

Because the first-transmitted data packet 1800 has only four space-timestreams, which are occupied by the data destined to RX 5, RX 6, RX 1, RX3, the data destined to RX 4 and RX 2 may be included in thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 1850 (see FIG. 18). Accordingly, RX4 and RX 2 are assigned as a member of ID=11, which corresponds to thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 1850 (see FIG. 18). Accordingly, intables 1708, 1704, MI=1 with respect to ID=11, and MI=0 with respect toother ID values (see FIG. 17). Thus, the frame may assign the MI of thereceiver according to the QoS of the data destined to a particularreceiver.

As described in greater detail supra, the frame may assign the PIaccording to the QoS of the data destined to a particular receiver. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the QoS value of the datadestined to RX 5 (e.g., QoS=6) is higher than the QoS value of the datadestined to RX 6 (e.g., QoS=5). Even though both data (destined to RX 5,RX 6) are included in the same first-transmitted data packet 1500, thePI assigned to RX 5 and RX 6 may vary according to the QoS of the datadestined to the particular receiver.

For example, referring to FIG. 17, RX 5 is assigned PI=[0], and RX 6 isassigned PI=[1], as illustrated in tables 1710/1710′. In this example,because the data destined to RX 5 (e.g., QoS=6) has a higher QoS thanthe QoS of the data destined to RX 6 (e.g., QoS=5), RX 5 is assigned alower PI value than the PI value assigned to RX 6. Thus, the frame mayassign the PI of the receiver according to the QoS of the data destinedto a particular receiver. For similar reasons, RX 1 (QoS=4) is assignedPI=[2] and RX 3 (e.g., QoS=3) is assigned PI=[3], as illustrated intables 1702/1702′, 1706/1706′. Also, for similar reasons, RX 4 (e.g.,QoS=2) is assigned PI=[0], and RX 2 (e.g., QoS=1) is assigned PI=[1], asillustrated in tables 1708/1708′, 1704/1704′.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing arenon-limiting examples and not intended to limit the scope of the claimsor disclosure provided herein. Alternative configurations may beimplemented without deviating from the scope of the claims or disclosureprovided herein. For example, although not illustrated in FIGS. 17 and18, data having a low/lower QoS may be included in a first-transmitteddata packet, and data having a high/higher QoS may be included in asubsequently-transmitted data packet. As another example, although notillustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, data having a low/lower QoS may havelower PI value relative to data having a high/higher QoS. Otheralternative configurations are readily apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art.

Referring back to FIG. 16A, at 1608, the transmitter may transmit dataportions having the highest QoS in a first data packet. For example,referring to FIG. 18, the transmitter transmits the data packet 1800,which includes the data destined to RX 5, RX 6, RX 1, RX 3 in dataportions 1802, 1804, 1806, 1808, respectively.

Referring back to FIG. 16B, at 1654, the receiver receives the datapacket destined to that receiver. For example, referring to FIG. 18, thereceiver receives the data packet 1800, which includes the data destinedto RX 5, RX 6, RX 1, RX 3 in data portions 1802, 1804, 1806, 1808,respectively.

In circumstances where the number of receivers receiving different dataportions exceeds the number of space-time streams in a single datapacket, more than one data packet may be transmitted. Referring back toFIG. 16A, at 1610, the transmitter may transmit other data portions inone or more data packets. For example, referring to FIG. 18, thetransmitter may transmit the subsequently-transmitted data packet 1850,which includes the data destined to receivers RX 4, RX 2 in dataportions 1852, 1854, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 16B, at 1656, the receiver may receive one or moreother data packets having data portions not destined to that receiver.For example, referring to FIG. 18, RX RX 5, RX 6, RX 1, RX 3 may receivethe subsequently-transmitted data packet 1850 that includes dataportions 1852, 1854, which are destined to RX 4, RX 2, but which are notdestined to RX 5, RX 6, RX 1, RX 3.

The QoS described in the examples herein is provided for illustrativepurposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims ordisclosure provided herein. The QoS may be based on variouscharacteristics, attributes, settings, values, etc., as may be deemedappropriate based on the particular implementation and design parametersof various configurations. In some configurations, the QoS of data maybe based on the type of data. For example, data comprising voice overInternet protocol (VoIP) may have a higher QoS, whereas data comprisingvideo may have a lower QoS. In some configurations, the QoS of data maybe based on the size of the data. For example, data having a larger sizemay have a lower QoS and data having a smaller size may have a higherQoS. In some configurations, data having a higher QoS may have at leasta lower contention window, a shorter inter-frame spacing, and/or ahigher transmission opportunity limit relative to data having a lowerQoS. In alternative configurations, other parameters may be used todetermine the QoS of data, and such alternative configurations will beknown by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the particularimplementation and design parameters.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example configuration of various RXs. FIG. 20illustrates an example use of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 19.

The data destined to each receiver may have a particular size. The sizeof data may be measured in various units. In some configurations, thesize of the data may be measured in terms of (or based on) the number(#) of frames in the data (or the data portion of the data).Accordingly, data having a larger size may have a greater number framesrelative to data having a smaller size.

Although the examples illustrated herein may measure the size of dataaccording to the number of frames of data, one or ordinary skill in theart will understand that other units of measure may readily be usedwithout deviating from the scope of the claims or disclosure providedherein. Accordingly, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art that the size of data is not limited to the number of frames.Therefore, the examples provided herein to describe the size of the data(or data portion) shall not be construed to limit the scope of theclaims.

In some configurations, the data in some space-time steams may have thesame size as the data in other space-time streams. In someconfigurations, the data in some space-time streams of a data packet mayhave a different size relative to the data in other space-time streamsof the same data packet.

In some circumstances, it may be preferential for data having a largersize (relative to other data having a smaller size) to be transmittedand/or received before other data (having the smaller size). In someother circumstances, it may be preferential for data having a smallersize (relative to other data having a larger size) to be transmittedand/or received before other data (having the larger size).

In an aspect, FIG. 19 illustrates an example configuration of sixreceivers randomly assigned MI and PI (e.g., MI and PI are not assignedbased on the size of the data destined to the receiver). However, asillustrated in FIG. 20, each data packet 2000, 2050 may only be able tohold four different space-time streams. In this example, each of thereceivers is a destination of a different space-time stream.Accordingly, the number of receivers (e.g., six receivers) destined toreceive a different space-time stream may exceed the number ofspace-time streams (e.g., four STSs) in a single data packet. Therefore,some space-time streams (e.g., four STSs) may be included in afirst-transmitted data packet 2000, and some space-time steams (e.g.,two STSs) may need to be included in a subsequently-transmitted datapacket 2050.

The frame received by RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, RX 6 may assign theMI and/or PI respectively illustrated in tables 1902, 1904, 1906, 1908,1910, 1912 of FIG. 19. Based on the random MI and PI assigned by theframe addressed to RX 1, RX 1 is assigned as a member of ID=10 (e.g.,MI=1 with respect to ID=10). Also, RX 1 is assigned PI=[0] with respectto ID=10. Based on the random MI and PI assigned by the frame addressedto RX 2, RX 2 is assigned as a member of ID=10 and is assigned PI=[1]with respect to ID=10. Based on the random MI and PI assigned by theframe addressed to RX 3, RX 3 is assigned as a member of ID=10 and isassigned PI=[2] with respect to ID=10. Based on the random MI and PIassigned by the frame addressed to RX 4, RX 4 is assigned as a member ofID=10 and is assigned PI=[3] with respect to ID=10.

Referring to FIG. 20, the first-transmitted data packet 2000 has no morethan four space-time streams (e.g., STSs 1-4) to carry the datarespectively destined to four different receivers. Accordingly, the datadestined to RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4 may be included in data portions2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, respectively. However, any other data destinedto any other receiver may not be accommodated in the first-transmitteddata packet 2000. Accordingly, the data destined to RX 5, RX 6 may notbe included in the first-transmitted data packet 2000 and, thus, mayneed to be included in the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2050.

Referring back to FIG. 19, based on the random MI and PI assigned by theframe addressed to RX 5, RX 5 is assigned as a member of ID=11 and isassigned PI=[0] with respect to ID=11. Based on the random MI and PIassigned by the frame addressed to RX 6, RX 6 is assigned as a member ofID=11 and is assigned PI=[1] with respect to ID=11. As illustrated inFIG. 20, the data destined to RX 5 is included in the data portion 2052of the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2050. Also, the datadestined to RX 6 is included in data portion 2054 of thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 2050.

As previously described, FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate an exampleconfiguration where six receivers are assigned MI and PI in a randomfashion (e.g., MI and PI are not assigned based on the size of thedata). Because each data packet 2000, 2050 may only hold up to fourspace-time streams, more than one data packet may be needed to transmitthe six different data destined to RXs 1-6.

FIG. 21 illustrates the example data packets of FIG. 20. In an aspect,FIG. 21 illustrates the size of the data packets 2000, 2050 in terms ofthe number of frames 2102 included in each data packet 2000, 2050.

The data portions 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 of data packet 2000 may includeone or more frames 2102. The data portions 2052, 2054 of data packet2050 may include one or more frames 2102. Each frame may include data2106 and inter-frame spacing (IFS) 2104 preceding that data 2106. TheIFS 2104 may provide a waiting period where no data is included betweentwo (otherwise) adjacent data 2106 of different frames 2102.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the duration or length of the data packet maybe based on the duration/length of the data portion that has thegreatest size. For example, the length 2000′ of the data packet 2000 isbased on the length of the data portion 2002. Also, the length 2050′ ofthe data packet 2050 is based on the length of the data portion 2052.Each data portion may have different numbers of frames. For example, theduration/length of data portions 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 areapproximately equal relative to each other, even though the number offrames 2102 in each data portion may vary (e.g. 6 frames, 2 frames, 1frame, 2 frames are included in data portions 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008,respectively).

Padding 2108, 2110, 2112, 2114 may be included after the last frame 2102of each data portion 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, respectively. Generally,padding allows for the data portions (e.g., data portions 2002, 2004,2006, 2008) in a particular data packet (e.g., data packet 2000) to haveapproximately the same size relative to each other. For example, varyingamounts of padding 2108, 2110, 2112, 2114 are added after the last dataframe in data portions 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, respectively, to allowthe data portions 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 to have approximately the samesize. For example, data portions having a greater number of frames(e.g., data portion 2002 having 6 frames) may have less padding (e.g.,padding 2108) than data portions having a fewer number of frames (e.g.,data portion 2004, which has 1 frame and padding 2110).

As illustrated in FIG. 21, the greater the difference between the numberof frames 2102 in different data portions or space-time streams, thegreater the amount of padding that may be required. For example,referring to data packet 2000, a significant amount of padding 2110,2112, 2114 is needed in data portions 2004, 2006, 2008, respectively, tocompensate for the difference between the number of frames in dataportion 2002 and data portions 2004, 2006, 2008. Similarly, referring todata packet 2050, a significant amount of padding 2118 is needed in dataportion 2054 to compensate for the difference between the number offrames in data portion 2052 and data portion 2054.

In comparison, data portions that have a similar number of frames mayminimize the amount of padding in the data packet. In an aspect, paddingmay represent unused space in the data packet. Accordingly, it may bedesirable to minimize padding. Padding may be reduced when data isarranged more efficiently among data packets.

As illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26B, and described in greater detailinfra, the amount of padding may be minimized by combining similarlysized data portions in the same data packet.

A single antenna of a single transmitter may be able to transmit onlyone data packet at a single point in time. A single antenna of a singlereceiver may be able to receive only one data packet at a single pointin time. Therefore, minimizing padding in a first-transmitted datapacket (e.g., data packet 2000) may reduce the duration/length of thatfirst-transmitted data packet (e.g., data packet 2000), thereby allowinga subsequently-transmitted data packet (e.g., data packet 2050) to betransmitted sooner than it would be transmitted otherwise. Such anadvantage and other advantages are illustrated in and are described infurther detail infra.

FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate various example methods of communication.In some configurations, a transmitter may perform the method 2200illustrated in FIG. 22A. In some configurations, a receiver may performthe method 2250 illustrated in FIG. 22B.

Referring back to FIG. 22A, at 2202, a transmitter may determine thatthe number of data portions destined to different receivers is greaterthan the number of space-time streams available in a single data packet.For example, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, a transmitter may determinethat there are six receivers (e.g., RXs 1-6) destined to receivedifferent data portions but only four space-time streams available ineach data packet 2400, 2450. Accordingly, the transmitter may determinethat the number of data portions destined to different receivers isgreater than the number of space-time streams available in a single datapacket.

Referring back to FIG. 22A, at 2204, the transmitter may determine thesize of the data portions destined to the different receivers. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the transmitter may determinethat the size of the data portions destined to RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4,RX 5, RX 6 is 6 frames, 1 frame, 2 frames, 1 frame, 6 frames, 2 frames,respectively.

Referring back to FIG. 22A, at 2206, the transmitter may transmit one ormore frames configured to assign the MI and/or PI of the differentreceivers according to the size of their respective data portions.Accordingly, at 2252, a receiver may receive a frame configured toassign the MI and/or PI of that receiver according to the size of thedata portion destined to that receiver. As such, at least the memberinformation or the position information is assigned by the frameaccording to the size of data destined to the receiver.

In some circumstances, it may be preferred to include similarly sizeddata portions in the same data packet. In such circumstances, the amountof padding may be minimized, which may increase the throughout oftransmissions and receptions. In some circumstances, it may be preferredto include smaller data portions in a first-transmitted data packet andto include larger data portions in a subsequently-transmitted datapacket. In such circumstances, the first-transmitted data packet can betransmitted sooner than it would be transmitted otherwise, which mayallow the subsequently-transmitted data packet to also be transmittedsooner than it would be transmitted otherwise. Accordingly, thethroughout of transmissions and/or receptions may be increased.

As described supra, the frame may assign the MI of the receiveraccording to the size of the data destined to a particular receiver. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the data destined to RX 2, RX 3are assigned as members of ID=10, which corresponds to thefirst-transmitted data packet 2400, because the data destined to RX 2,RX 3 have the fewest number of frames (e.g., 1 frame each). Accordingly,in tables 2304, 2306, MI=1 with respect to ID=10, and MI=0 with respectto other ID values.

Because the data destined to RX 4, RX 6 have the next-smallest size(e.g., 2 frames each), RX 4, RX 6 are also assigned as members of ID=10,which corresponds to the first-transmitted data packet 2400.Accordingly, in tables 2308, 2312, MI=1 with respect to ID=10, and MI=0with respect to other ID values.

Because the first-transmitted data packet 2400 have only four space-timestreams (e.g., STSs 1-4), which are occupied by the data destined to RX2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 6, the data destined to RX 1, RX 5 may need to beincluded in the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2450. Accordingly,RX 1 and RX 5 are assigned as members of ID=11, which corresponds to thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 2450. Accordingly, in tables 2302,2310, MI=1 with respect to ID=11, and MI=0 with respect to other IDvalues. Thus, the frame may assign the MI of the receiver according tothe size of the data destined to a particular receiver.

As described supra, the size of the data destined to RX 3 (e.g., 1frame) is greater than the size of the data destined to RX 4 (e.g., 2frames). Even though both data (destined to RX 3 and RX 4) are includedin the same, first-transmitted data packet 2400, the PI assigned to RX 3and RX 4 may vary according to the size of the data destined to theparticular receiver. For example, RX 3 is assigned PI=[1], and RX 4 isassigned PI=[2]. In this example, because the data destined to RX 3 hasa smaller size (e.g., 1 frame) than the data destined to RX 4 (e.g., 2frames), RX 3 is assigned a lower PI value (e.g., PI=[1]) than the PIvalue (e.g., PI=[2]) assigned to RX 4. Thus, the frame may assign the PIof the receiver according to the size of the data destined to thatparticular receiver.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing arenon-limiting examples and not intended to limit the scope of the claimsor disclosure provided herein. Alternative configurations may beimplemented without deviating from the scope of the present disclosureor claims. For example, although not illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24,data having a larger size may be included in a first-transmitted, anddata having a smaller size may be included in a subsequently-transmitteddata packet. As another example, although not illustrated in FIGS. 23and 24, data having a larger size may be assigned a lower PI valuerelative to data having a smaller size. Other alternative configurationsare readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 22A, at 2208, the transmitter may transmit dataportions having the smallest (or largest) sizes in a first data packet.For example, referring to FIG. 24, the transmitter may transmit the datapacket 2400, which includes the data destined to RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 6in data portions 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408, respectively. Referring to FIG.22B, at 2254, the receiver may receive the data packet destined to thatreceiver. For example, referring to FIG. 24, the receiver (e.g., RX 2,RX 3, RX 4, RX 6) may receive the data packet 2400, which includes thedata destined to RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 6 in data portions 2402, 2404,2406, 2408, respectively.

In circumstances where the number of receivers receiving different dataportions exceeds the number of space-time streams in a single datapacket, more than one data packet may be transmitted. Referring to FIG.22A, at 2210, the transmitter may transmit other data portions in one ormore data packets. For example, referring to FIG. 24, the transmittermay transmit the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2450, whichincludes the data destined to receivers RX 1, RX 5 in data portions2452, 2454, respectively. Referring to FIG. 22B, at 2256, the receivermay receive one or more data packets having data portions not destinedto that receiver. For example, referring to FIG. 24, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4,RX 6 may receive the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2450, whichincludes data portions 2452, 2454, which are destined to RX 1 and RX 5,but which are not destined to RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 6.

The size of the data (e.g., number of frames) in each space-time streamdescribed in the examples herein is provided for illustrative purposesonly and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims or thedisclosure provided herein. The size of the data in each space-timestream may be determined with respect to various characteristics,attributes, settings, values, etc., as may be deemed appropriate basedon the particular implementation and design parameters of variousconfigurations. For example, in some configurations, the size of thedata may be based on the number of symbols in the data. As anotherexample, in some configurations, the size of the data may be based onthe time or duration of that data. Such alternative configurations willbe known by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the particularimplementation and design parameters.

FIG. 25 illustrates an example of the data packets associated with FIGS.23 and 24. In an aspect, FIG. 25 illustrates the size of the datapackets 2400, 2450 in terms of the number of frames 2514 included ineach data packet 2400, 2450.

The data portions 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408 of data packet 2400 may includeone or more frames 2514. The data portions 2452, 2454 of data packet2450 may include one or more frames 2514. Each frame may include data2518 and inter-frame spacing (IFS) 2516 preceding that data 2518. TheIFS 2516 may provide a waiting period where no data is included betweentwo (otherwise) adjacent data 2518 of different frames 2514.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, the duration or length of the data packet isbased on the duration/length of one or more data portions having thegreatest size (relative to other data portions in the same data packet).For example, the length 2400′ of the data packet 2400 is based on thelength of the data portions 2406, 2408. Also, the length 2450′ of thedata packet 2450 is based on the length of the data portions 2452, 2454.Each data portion may have a different number of frames. For example,the duration/length of data portions 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408 areapproximately equal relative to each other, even though the number offrames 2514 in each data portion varies (e.g. 1 frame, 1 frame, 2frames, 2 frames are included in data portions 2402, 2404, 2406, 2408,respectively). Padding 2502, 2504, 2506, 2508, 2510, 2512 may beincluded after the last frame 2514 of each data portion 2402, 2404,2406, 2408, 2552, 2554, respectively.

FIG. 26A illustrates the data packets 2000, 2050 illustrated in FIG. 21.FIG. 26B illustrates the data packets 2400, 2450 illustrated in FIG. 25.Collectively, FIGS. 26A, 26B can be used to illustrate a comparisonbetween data packets not configured based on the size of their dataportions (see FIG. 26A) and data packets configured based on the size oftheir data portions (see FIG. 26B).

A single antenna of a single transmitter may be able to transmit onlyone data packet at a single point in time. A single antenna of a singlereceiver may be able to receive only one data packet at a single pointin time. Therefore, the length/duration of a first-transmitted datapacket may impact the transmission/reception time of asubsequently-transmitted data packet. Generally, the longer thefirst-transmitted data packet, the later the subsequently-transmitteddata packet may be transmitted by the transmitting antenna and/orreceived by the receiving antenna.

With respect to FIG. 26A, the first-transmitted data packet 2000 has alength 2000′, and the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2050 has alength 2050′. The data portions in the first-transmitted data packet2000 begin at time 2602 and end at time 2604. The wait time 2610separates the first-transmitted data packet 2000 and thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 2050. The data portions of thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 2050 begin at time 2606 and end attime 2608.

With respect to FIG. 26B, the first-transmitted data packet 2400 has alength 2400′, and the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2450 has alength 2450′. The data portions in the first-transmitted data packet2400 begin at time 2612 and end at time 2614. The wait time 2610separates the first-transmitted data packet 2400 and thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 2450. The data portions of thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 2450 begin at time 2616 and end attime 2618.

Because the data packets 2400, 2450 are configured according to the size(e.g., number of frames) of their data portions, padding 2502, 2504,2506, 2508, 2510, 2512 (see FIG. 25) is reduced (e.g., minimized). Forexample, padding 2502, 2504, 2506, 2508 in the first-transmitted datapacket 2400 (see FIG. 25) is reduced in comparison to padding 2108,2110, 2112, 2114 in the first-transmitted data packet 2000 (see FIG.21). Accordingly, the amount of padding in a data packet may be reducedwhen the size of the data portions are considered.

Also, when the size of the data portions is considered, thelength/duration of the data packet may be reduced. For example, when thesize of the data portions is considered, the length/duration of thefirst-transmitted data packet 2400 is 2400′ (see FIG. 26B). Incomparison, when the size of the data portions is not considered, thelength/duration of the first-transmitted data packet 2000 is 2000′ (seeFIG. 26A), which is longer than 2400′. Accordingly, there is a decreasein the length/duration of the first-transmitted data packet when thesize of the data is considered.

Because the length/duration of the first-transmitted data packet isreduced, transmission (and thus reception) of the first-transmitted datapacket may occur sooner than would occur otherwise. Because transmission(and thus reception) of the first-transmission may occur sooner thanwould occur otherwise, transmission (and thus reception) of thesubsequently-transmitted data packet may occur sooner than would occurotherwise.

For example, when the size of the data portion is considered, the firstframes in the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2450 is transmittedat time 2616 (see FIG. 26B). In comparison, when the size of the dataportion is not considered, the first frame in thesubsequently-transmitted data packet 2050 is transmitted at time 2606(see FIG. 26A), which is after time 2616. Accordingly, the start timecorresponding to the beginning of the transmission (and thus reception)of the subsequently-transmitted data packet is earlier when the size ofthe data portion is considered.

Further, padding 2510, 2512 in the subsequently-transmitted data packet2450 (see FIG. 25) is reduced (e.g., minimized) in comparison to padding2116, 2118 in the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2050 (see FIG.21). Accordingly, the amount of padding in the subsequently-transmitteddata packet may be reduced when the size of the data portion isconsidered (see, e.g., FIG. 26B) than would be provided if the size ofthe data portion was not considered (see, e.g., FIG. 26A).

Further, in the examples illustrated in FIGS. 26A, 26B, thelength/duration of the subsequently-transmitted data packet 2050, 2450remains the same (e.g., length/duration 2050′ is the samelength/duration as length/duration 2450′). Accordingly, thelength/duration of the subsequently-transmitted data packets 2050, 2450may not increase when the size of the data portion is considered (see,e.g., FIGS. 26A, 26B).

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate various example methods of communication. Insome configurations, a transmitter may perform the method 2700illustrated in FIG. 27. In some configurations, a receiver may performthe method 2800 illustrated in FIG. 28. FIG. 29 illustrates an exampleconfiguration of various receivers. FIG. 30 illustrates an example useof the configuration illustrated in FIG. 29.

In some configurations, the number of data portions destined todifferent destinations is greater than a number of space-time streamsavailable in a single data packet. For example, referring to FIG. 30,the number of data portions destined to different destinations (e.g.,receivers) is six. In this example, the number of space-time streamsavailable in a single data packet is four. Accordingly, the number ofdata portions destined to different destinations is greater than thenumber of space-time streams available in a single data packet.

Referring to FIG. 27, at 2702, a transmitter may determine that thenumber of data portions destined to different receivers is greater thanthe number of space-time streams available in a single data packet. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, a transmitter may determine thatthere are six receivers (e.g., RXs 1-6) but only four space-time streamsin a single data packet 3000. Accordingly, the transmitter may determinethat the number of data portions destined to different receivers isgreater than the number of space-time streams available in a single datapacket.

Referring to FIG. 27, at 2704, the transmitter may include at least a1^(st) ID and a 2^(nd) ID in the data packet. For example, referring toFIG. 30, the transmitter may include IDa 3008 and IDb 3018 in a portion3002 of the data packet 3000. In this example, IDa=10 and IDb=11.

Referring to FIG. 27, at 2706, the transmitter may determine the averagesize of the data portions destined to the different receivers. Forexample, referring to tables 2902, 2904, 2906, 2908, 2910, 2912 in FIG.29, the transmitter may determine the number of (data) frames of thedata portions destined to RXs 1-6 and calculate the average size of thedata portions based on that determination. In this example, the numberof frames destined to RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, RX 6 is 6 frames, 1frame, 2 frames, 1 frame, 6 frames, 2 frames, respectively. In thisexample, the average size (e.g., the average number of frames) of thedata portions destined to RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, and RX 6 is 3frames.

Referring to FIG. 27, at 2708, the transmitter may assign data portionshaving a size larger than the average size to both of the 1^(st) and2^(nd) IDs. For example, referring to FIG. 29, data portions destined toRX 1, RX 5 have data portions that are each 6 frames, which is greaterthan the average size of 3 frames. Accordingly, RX 1 and RX 5 may beassigned to both 1^(st) and 2^(nd) IDs.

As illustrated in table 2902, RX 1 is assigned as a member of ID=10 andID=11. Accordingly, a single receiver is assigned as a member of two ormore IDs (e.g., IDs 10, 11) because the size (e.g., 6 frames) of thedata destined that receiver (e.g., RX 1) is larger than the average size(e.g., 3 frames) of all of the data portions in the data packet. Also,RX 1 is assigned PI=[0] for ID=10, and RX 1 is also assigned PI=[0] forID=11. Accordingly, a single receiver (e.g., RX 1) is assigned the samePI value (e.g., PI=[0]) for different ID values (e.g., IDs 10, 11).

As illustrated in table 2910, RX 5 is assigned as a member of ID=10 andID=11. Accordingly, a single receiver (e.g., RX 5) is assigned as amember of two or more IDs (e.g., IDs 10, 11) because the size (e.g., 6frames) of the data destined that receiver (e.g., RX 5) is larger thanthe average size (e.g., 3 frames) of all of the data portions in thedata packet. Also, RX 5 is assigned PI=[3] for ID=10, and RX 5 is alsoassigned PI=[3] for ID=11. Accordingly, a single receiver is assignedthe same PI value (e.g., PI=[3]) for different ID values (e.g., IDs 10,11).

Referring to FIG. 27, at 2710, the transmitter may determine whether toconsider QoS information corresponding to the data portions destined tothe receivers. In some configurations, QoS information may not beavailable and therefore cannot be considered. In some configurations,QoS information may be available but not considered by the transmitterbased on a particular design or implementation.

If QoS information is not considered, at 2712, the transmitter mayassign data portions having a size smaller than the average size toeither the 1^(st) ID or the 2^(nd) ID, but not both 1st and 2^(nd) IDs.For example, referring to FIG. 29, the size (e.g., number of frames) ofthe data portions destined to RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 6 is 1 frame, 2frames, 1 frame, 2 frames, respectively. Since these data portions areeach less than (or equal to) the average size of 3 frames, the dataportions destined to RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 6 may be assigned to eitherthe 1^(st) ID or the 2^(nd) ID, but not both 1^(st) and 2^(nd) IDs.

As illustrated in table 2904 in FIG. 29, RX 2 is assigned as a member ofID=10, but not a member of ID=11. Accordingly, a single receiver isassigned as a member of no more than one ID (e.g., ID=10, but not alsoID=11) because the size (e.g., 1 frame) of the data destined thatreceiver (e.g., RX 2) is smaller than (or equal to) the average size(e.g., 3 frames) of all of the data portions in the data packet. Also,RX 2 is assigned PI=[1] for ID=10. Accordingly, a single receiver (e.g.,RX 2) is assigned a PI value (e.g., PI=[1]) for only the ID to whichthat receiver is assigned as a member (e.g., ID=10).

As illustrated in table 2906 in FIG. 29, RX 3 is assigned as a member ofID=11, but not a member of ID=10. Accordingly, a single receiver isassigned as a member of no more than one ID (e.g., ID=11, but not alsoID=10) because the size (e.g., 2 frame) of the data destined thatreceiver (e.g., RX 3) is smaller (or equal to) the average size (e.g., 3frames) of all of the data portions in the data packet. Also, RX 3 isassigned PI=[1] for ID=11. Accordingly, a single receiver (e.g., RX 3)is assigned a PI value (e.g., PI=[1]) for only the ID to which thatreceiver is assigned as a member (e.g., ID=11).

As illustrated in table 2908 in FIG. 29, RX 4 is assigned as a member ofID=10, but not a member of ID=11. Accordingly, a single receiver isassigned as a member of no more than one ID (e.g., ID=10, but not alsoID=11) because the size (e.g., 1 frame) of the data destined thatreceiver (e.g., RX 4) is smaller (or equal to) the average size (e.g., 3frames) of all of data portions in the data packet. Also, RX 4 isassigned PI=[2] for ID=10. Accordingly, a single receiver (e.g., RX 4)is assigned a PI value (e.g., PI=[2]) for only the ID to which thatreceiver is assigned as a member (e.g., ID=10).

As illustrated in table 2912 in FIG. 29, RX 6 is assigned as a member ofID=11, but not a member of ID=10. Accordingly, a single receiver isassigned as a member of no more than one ID (e.g., ID=11, but not alsoID=10) because the size (e.g., 2 frame) of the data destined thatreceiver (e.g., RX 6) is smaller (or equal to) the average size (e.g., 3frames) of all of the data portions in the data packet. Also, RX 6 isassigned PI=[2] for ID=11. Accordingly, a single receiver (e.g., RX 6)is assigned a PI value (e.g., PI=[2]) for only the ID to which thatreceiver is assigned as a member (e.g., ID=11).

Referring back to FIG. 27, if QoS information is considered, at 2714,the transmitter may assign data portions having a size smaller than theaverage size to either the 1^(st) or 2^(nd) ID according to the QoS ofthe data portion. For example, referring to FIG. 29, the size (e.g.,number of frames) of the data portions destined to RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, andRX 6 is 1 frame, 2 frames, 1 frame, and 2 frames, respectively. Sincethese data portions are each less than (or equal to) the average size of3 frames, the data portions destined to RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 6 may beassigned to either the 1^(st) ID or the 2^(nd) ID (but not both 1^(st)and 2^(nd) IDs) according to the QoS of the data portion destined to therespective receiver.

The QoS of the data portion destined to RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 6 is QoS=5,QoS=3, QoS=4, QoS=2, respectively. Because the QoS (e.g., QoS=5) of thedata portion destined to RX 2 is higher than the QoS (e.g., QoS=3) ofthe data portion destined to RX 3, RX 2 may be assigned to anearlier-transmitted portion of the data packet 3000 (see FIG. 30) thanRX 3. Accordingly, RX 2 may be assigned as a member of ID=10 (which isassociated with an earlier-transmitted portion (IDa=10) of the datapacket 3000), and RX 3 may be assigned as a member of ID=11 (which isassociated with a later-transmitted portion (IDb=11) of the data packet3000). As illustrated in tables 2904, 2906 in FIG. 29, RX 2 and RX 3 areassigned the same PI (e.g., PI=[1]), even though the data portionsdestined to RX 2 and RX 3 have different QoS values.

Accordingly, two or more receivers (e.g., RX 2, RX 3) may be assignedthe same PI (e.g., PI=[1]) when the average size of their data portions(e.g., 1 frame, 2 frames, respectively) is smaller than the average size(e.g., 3 frames) of all of the data portions in the data packet. Also,two or more receivers (e.g., RX 2, RX 3) may be assigned the same PI(e.g., PI=[1]) when the data portions destined to those two or morereceiver (e.g., RX 2, RX 3) have different QoS values. When two or morereceivers (e.g., RX 2, RX 3) are assigned the same PI (e.g., PI=[1]),the receiver(s) (e.g., RX 2) having the higher QoS value (e.g., QoS=5)may be assigned to an ID (e.g., ID=10) that corresponds to anearlier-transmitted portion (e.g., the portion associated with IDa=10)of the data packet 3000 (see FIG. 30), and the receiver(s) (e.g., RX 3)having the lower QoS value (e.g., 3) may be assigned to an ID (e.g.,ID=11) that corresponds to a later-transmitted portion (e.g., theportion associated with IDb=11) of the data packet 3000 (see FIG. 30).

As another example, because the QoS (e.g., QoS=4) of the data portiondestined to RX 4 is higher than the QoS (e.g., QoS=2) of the dataportion destined to RX 6, RX 4 may be assigned to an earlier-transmittedportion (e.g., the portion associated with IDa=10) of the data packet3000 (see FIG. 30) than RX 6. Accordingly, RX 4 may be assigned as amember of ID=10 (which is associated with an earlier-transmitted portionof the data packet 3000), and RX 6 may be assigned as a member of ID=11(which is associated with a later-transmitted portion of the data packet3000). As illustrated in tables 2908, 2912 in FIG. 29, RX 4 and RX 6 areassigned the same PI (e.g., PI=[2]), even though the data portionsdestined to RX 4 and RX 6 have different QoS values.

Accordingly, two or more receivers (e.g., RX 4, RX 6) may be assignedthe same PI (e.g., PI=[2]) when the average size of their correspondingdata portions (e.g., 1 frame, 2 frames, respectively) is less than theaverage size (e.g., 3 frames) of all of the data portions in the datapacket. Also, two or more receivers (e.g., RX 4, RX 6) may be assignedthe same PI (e.g., PI=[2]) when the data portions destined to those twoor more receiver (e.g., RX 4, RX 6) have different QoS values. When twoor more receivers (e.g., RX 4, RX 6) are assigned the same PI (e.g.,PI=[2]), the receiver(s) (e.g., RX 4) having the higher QoS value (e.g.,QoS=4) may be assigned to an ID (e.g., ID=10) that corresponds to anearlier-transmitted portion (e.g., the portion associated with IDa=10)of the data packet 3000 (see FIG. 30), and the receiver(s) (e.g., RX 6)having the lower QoS value (e.g., QoS=2) may be assigned to an ID (e.g.,ID=11) that corresponds to a later-transmitted portion (e.g., theportion associated with IDb=11) of the data packet 3000 (see FIG. 30).

In some configurations, the position information assigned to two or moredestinations is the same for two or more identifiers, wherein the two ormore identifiers correspond to two or more particular identifiers withwhich the data packet is associated. For example, referring to FIGS. 29and 30, RX 2 and RX 3 are assigned the same position information (e.g.,PI=[1]) for two identifiers (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11, respectively), andthese two identifiers (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11) correspond to theparticular identifiers (e.g., IDa=10 and IDb=11) of the data packet3000. As another example, again referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, RX 4 andRX 6 are assigned the same position information (e.g., PI=[2]) for twoidentifiers (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11, respectively), and these twoidentifiers (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11) correspond to the particularidentifiers (e.g., IDa=10 and IDb=11) of the data packet 3000.

In some configurations, the position information assigned to onedestination is the same for two or more identifiers, wherein the two ormore identifiers correspond to two or more particular identifiers withwhich the data packet is associated. For example, referring to FIGS. 29and 30, RX 1 is assigned the same position information (e.g., PI=[0])for two identifiers (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11, respectively), and these twoidentifiers (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11) correspond to the particularidentifiers (e.g., IDa=10 and IDb=11) of the data packet 3000. Asanother example, RX 6 is assigned the same position information (e.g.,PI=[3]) for two identifiers (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11, respectively), andthese two identifiers (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11) correspond to theparticular identifiers (e.g., IDa=10 and IDb=11) of the data packet3000.

Referring to FIG. 27, at 2716, the transmitter may transmit one or moreframes configured to assign the MI and/or PI of one or more receivers.The frames may be configured to assign the MI and/or PI of the receiversin accordance with any one or more of the various configurationsdescribed supra.

Referring to FIG. 28, at 2802, the receiver (e.g., one or more of RXs1-6) may receive the frame configured to assign the MI and/or PI for atleast a 1^(st) ID and a 2^(nd) ID of that receiver.

Referring to FIG. 27, at 2718, the transmitter may include timinginformation (which may sometimes be referred to herein as timingadjustment (TA)) in the data packet. Generally, for a space-time streamhaving two or more data portions each destined to a different receiver,the TA may indicate a time, symbol, or bit that marks the end of thedata portion destined to a first receiver. The TA may also indicate atime, symbol, or bit that marks the beginning of the data portiondestined to a second receiver.

For example, referring to FIG. 30, the portion 3002 of the data packet3000 may include the timing information (TA) field 3006, which indicatesa value y (a variable provided for illustrative purposes herein). In theexample illustrated in FIG. 30, the value in TA field 3006 (e.g., y)corresponds to time 3050.

In some configurations, timing information may indicate at least an endof a first data portion destined to a first destination or a beginningof a second data portion destined to a second destination, wherein thefirst and second data portions are included in the same space-timestream. For example, referring to FIG. 30, the timing information mayindicate an end of the data portion 3038 destined to RX 2. Also, thetiming information may indicate an end of the data portion 3042 destinedto RX 4. Further, the timing information may indicate the beginning ofthe data portion 3040 destined to RX 3. Further yet, the timinginformation may indicate the beginning of the data portion 3046 destinedto RX 6.

In some configurations, timing information (e.g., TA) may correspond toan average size of the data portions in the data packet. For example,referring to FIG. 30, the TA field 3006 includes information (e.g., y)that corresponds to time 3050. Time 3050 correspond to the average sizethe data portions in the data packet. In data packet 3000, the dataportions 3028, 3030, 3032, 3034 have an average size of three (3)frames. As illustrated in FIG. 30, time 3050 occurs approximately afterthe third frames and before fourth frame. As such, the TA is set tocorrespond to the average size of the data portions in the data packet.

As described supra with reference to FIG. 29, RX 2 and RX 3 are assignedthe same PI (e.g., PI=[1]). Because RX 2 and RX 3 are assigned the samePI (e.g., PI=[1]), the data portions destined to RX 2, RX 3 may beincluded in the same space-time stream (e.g., STS 2). Referring to FIGS.29 and 30, the data portion 3038 destined to RX 2 has a higher QoS (e.g.QoS=5) relative to the QoS (e.g., QoS=3) of the data portion 3040destined to RX 3 and, therefore, is assigned as a member of an ID (e.g.,ID=10) associated with an earlier-transmitted portion of the data packet(e.g., portion IDa 3008). The data portion 3038 destined to RX 2 maybegin at time 3048. Based on the TA, RX 2 may determine that the end ofthe data portions 3038 destined to RX 2 is no later than time 3050.Accordingly, RX 2 may process data portion 3038 starting at time 3048and refrain from processing data portions after time 3050 (e.g., RX 2refrains from processing data portion 3040, which is destined to RX 3).

Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, the data portion 3040 destined to RX 3(e.g., QoS=3) has a lower QoS relative to the QoS of the data portion3038 destined to RX 2 (e.g., QoS=5) and, therefore, is assigned as amember of an ID (e.g., ID=11) associated with a subsequently-transmittedportion of the data packet (e.g., portion IDb 3018). As illustrated inFIG. 30, the data portion 3040 destined to RX 3 is included in the samespace-time stream (e.g., STS 2) as the data portion 3038 destined to RX2. Accordingly, RX 3 may refrain from processing the data portion 3038destined to RX 2 (e.g., portion IDa 3008). However, RX 3 may need todetermine the start of the data portion 3040 destined to RX 3 (e.g.,portion IDb 3018) in order to begin processing that data portion 3040 atthe appropriate time. The value in the TA field 3006 may indicate to RX3 that time 3050 is associated with the beginning of the data portions3040 destined to RX 3. Accordingly, RX 3 may refrain from processing thedata portion 3038 (destined to RX 2) before time 3050, and RX 3 mayprocess the data portion 3040 (destined to RX 3) after time 3050.

As described supra with reference to FIG. 29, RX 4 and RX 6 are assignedthe same PI (e.g., PI=[2]). Because RX 4 and RX 6 are assigned the samePI (e.g., PI=[2]), the data portions destined to RX 4 and RX 6 may beincluded in the same space-time stream (e.g., STS 3). Referring to FIGS.29, 30, the data portion 3042 destined to RX 4 has a higher QoS (e.g.QoS=4) relative to the QoS (e.g., QoS=2) of the data portion 3046destined to RX 6 and, therefore, is assigned as a member of an ID (e.g.,ID=10) associated with an earlier-transmitted portion of the data packet(e.g., portion IDa 3008). The data portion 3042 destined to RX 4 maybegin at time 3048. Based on the TA, RX 4 may determine that the end ofthe data portions 3042 destined to RX 4 is no later than time 3050.Accordingly, RX 4 may process data portion 3042 starting at time 3048and refrain from processing data portions after time 3050 (e.g., RX 4refrains from processing data portion 3046, which is destined to RX 6).

Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, the data portion 3044 destined to RX 6(e.g., QoS=2) has a lower QoS relative to the QoS of the data portion3042 destined to RX 4 (e.g., QoS=4) and, therefore, is assigned as amember of an ID (e.g., ID=11) associated with a subsequently-transmittedportion of the data packet (e.g., portion IDb 3018). As illustrated inFIG. 30, the data portion 3044 destined to RX 6 is included in the samespace-time stream (e.g., STS 3) as the data portion 3042 destined to RX4. Accordingly, RX 6 may refrain from processing the data portion 3042destined to RX 4 (e.g., portion IDa 3008). However, RX 3 may need todetermine the start time/location/symbol/bit of the data portion 3046destined to RX 6 (e.g., the portion associated with IDb 3018) in orderto begin processing that data portion 3046 at the appropriate time. Thevalue in the TA field 3006 may indicate to RX 6 that time 3050 isassociated with the beginning of the data portions 3046 destined to RX6. Accordingly, RX 6 may refrain from processing the data portion 3042(destined to RX 4) before time 3050, and RX 6 may process the dataportion 3046 (destined to RX 6) after time 3050.

Although the examples described supra include one TA (e.g., TA 3006),one of ordinary skill understands that more than one TA may be usedwithout deviating from the scope of the claims or disclosure providedherein. Accordingly, the number of TAs shall not be construed as alimitation of the scope of the claims or disclosure provided herein. Forexample, alternative configurations may have three data portions (ormore) in a single data stream. As another example, different TAs may beprovided for each space-time stream. For example, four different TAs maybe provided in a data packet having four space-time streams each havingtwo data portions such that a different TA corresponds to the start timeof the second data portion (and/or the end time of the first dataportion) for each of the space-time streams. Alternative configurationsof may be implemented by one of ordinary skill in the art withoutdeviating from the disclosure or scope of the claims.

Referring to FIG. 27, at 2718, the transmitter may also include a stackbit in the data packet. For example, referring to FIG. 30, thetransmitter may include the stacking bit (SB) 3004 in the portion 3002of the data packet 3000. In this example, the SB 3004 indicates a valuex (a variable provided for illustrative purposes herein).

In some configurations, the stack bit may be included in the inter-framespacing between two consecutive data frames. The stack bit may indicatean end of the data destined to a first receiver or destination. Afterthe first receiver or destination processes the data frame preceding thestack bit, that receiver may receive the stack bit in the inter-framespacing. Upon receiving the stack bit, that receiver may refrain fromprocessing any data that follows the stack bit.

As described supra, RX 2 and RX 3 have the same PI (e.g., PI=[1]) and,thus, the data destined to RX 2 and RX 3 are included in the samespace-time stream (e.g., STS 2) of the data packet (e.g., data packet3000). As described supra, RX 4 and RX 6 have the same PI (e.g., PI=[2])and, thus, the data destined to RX 4 and RX 6 are included in the samespace-time stream (e.g., STS 3) of the data packet (e.g., data packet3000).

Where two or more data portions are destined to receivers assigned thesame PI, the receivers may benefit from information in the data packetto inform a receiver that a particular space-time stream includes dataportions destined to that particular receiver. Such information may beincluded in the stack bit. The stack bit may include information thatindicates that one or more of the space-time streams includes two ormore space-time streams. In some configurations, the stack bit mayinclude information that indicates that a single space-time stream(e.g., STS 2 or STS 3) each include more than one data portion destinedto a different receiver (e.g., STS 2 include data portions destined toRX 2 and RX 3; STS 3 includes data portions destined to RX 4 and RX 6).In some configurations, the stack bit may include information indicatingthat the data portion destined to one receiver (e.g., RX 3) is includedin a particular space-time stream (e.g., STS 2). In some configurations,the stack bit may include information indicating that the data portiondestined to a particular receiver (e.g., RX 3) is included after thedata portion destined to a different receiver (e.g., RX 2) in the samespace-time stream (e.g., STS 2).

In some configurations, the stack bit may include information associatedwith the timing information described supra. In some configurations, thestack bit may include timing information indicating the start and/or endof one or more data portions destined to different receivers andincluded in the same space-time stream. For example, the stacking bitmay include timing information indicating that the data portions 3038destined to RX 2 begins at time 3048 and end no later than time 3050.The stacking bit may also include timing information indicating that thedata portion 3040 destined to RX 3 begins at time 3050 and ends no laterthan time 3052.

Referring back to FIG. 27, at 2720, the transmitter may transmit thedata portions in a single data packet. In particular, the transmittermay transmit the data portions that are smaller than, equal to, andlarger than the average size of the data portions destined to thereceivers in a single data packet. For example, referring to FIG. 30,the transmitter may transmit a single data packet 3000, which includesdata portions 3036, 3038, 3040, 3042, 3044, 3046 destined to RX 1, RX 2,RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, RX 6, respectively. The data packet may include two ormore IDs. For example, referring to FIG. 30, the portion 3002 of thedata packet 3000 includes IDa field 3008 having value IDa=10 and IDbfield 3018 having the value IDb=11.

Referring to FIG. 28, at 2804, the receiver may receive a data packethaving at least a 1^(st) ID and a 2^(nd) ID. For example, referring toFIG. 30, a particular receiver (e.g. RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, or RX6) may receive the portion 3002 of the data packet 3000. The portion3002 of the data packet 3000 may include IDa field 3008 having valueIDa=10 and IDb field 3018 having the value IDb=11. Because one or morereceivers (e.g. RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, and/or RX 6) may eachreceive the data packet 3000 at the same time, and because the datapacket 3000 includes two or more data portions (e.g. data portions 3036,3038, 3040, 3042, 3044, 3046) destined to different receivers (e.g., RX1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, RX 6, respectively), a particular receiver(e.g., RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, and/or RX 6) may need to determinewhether the data packet 3000 includes any—and, if so, which and howmany—data portions destined to that particular receiver. Such adetermination may be based on the 1^(st) ID and/or 2^(nd) ID included inthe data packet, as described in further detail infra.

Referring to FIG. 28, at 2806, based on the 1^(st) ID field, thereceiver may determine that the receiver is the destination of a firstdata portion of two or more data portions in a single space-time streamof the data packet. For example, as illustrated in table 2904 in FIG.29, RX 2 is assigned as a member of ID=10. Referring to FIG. 30, the IDafield 3008 of the data packet 3000 has a value of 10 (e.g., IDa=10).Because the IDa field 3008 has a value (e.g., IDa=10) that correspondsto the ID (e.g., ID=10) to which RX 2 is assigned, RX 2 may determinethat RX 2 is the destination of the first (e.g., earlier) data portion3038 of the two data portions 3038, 3040 in STS 2. In this example, thetwo data portions 3038, 3040 are each destined to different receivers(e.g., RX 2, RX 3, respectively). In another example, as illustrated intable 2908 in FIG. 29, RX 4 is assigned as a member of ID=10. Referringto FIG. 30, the IDa field 3008 of the data packet 3000 has a value of 10(e.g., IDa=10). Because the IDa field 3008 has a value (e.g., IDa=10)that corresponds to the ID (e.g., ID=10) to which RX 4 is assigned, RX 4may determine that RX 4 is the destination of the first (e.g., earlier)data portion 3042 of the two data potions 3042, 3044 in STS 3. In thisexample, the two data portions 3042, 3044 are each destined to differentreceivers (e.g., RX 4, RX 6, respectively).

Referring back to FIG. 28, at 2808, the receiver may determine the endof the first data portion based on a timing information in the datapacket. For example, referring to FIG. 30, RX 2 may determine that theend of the first (e.g., earlier) data portion 3038 is no later than time3050. Such a determination may be based on information included in theTA field 3006 of the portion 3002 of the data packet 3000. As anotherexample, RX 4 may determine that the end of the first (e.g., earlier)data portion 3042 is no later than time 3050. Such a determination maybe based on information included in the TA field 3006 of the portion3002 of the data packet 3000.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated includes a first particular identifier and a secondparticular identifier. The data packet may further include at least onespace-time stream having a first data portion destined to a firstdestination and associated with the first particular identifier withwhich the data packet is associated, and a second data portion destinedto a second destination and associated with the second particularidentifier with which the data packet is associated. For example,referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, data packet 3000 includes IDa=10 andIDb=11. The data packet 3000 may further include at least one space-timestream (e.g., the space-time stream corresponding to data 3030) havingdata portion 3038 destined to RX 2 and associated with IDa=10 of thedata packet 3000, and data portion 3040 destined to RX 3 and associatedwith IDb=11 of the data packet 3000. As another example, the data packet3000 may further include at least one space-time stream (e.g., thespace-time stream corresponding to data 3032) having data portion 3042destined to RX 4 and associated with IDa=10 of the data packet 3000, anddata portion 3046 destined to RX 6 and associated with IDb=11 of thedata packet 3000.

In some configurations, a receiver may process a first data portion oftwo or more data portions in the same space-time stream when one of thetwo or more particular identifiers with which the data packet isassociated corresponds to an identifier for which a position informationwas assigned by the frame, and refrain from processing other dataportions of the two or more data portions in the same space-time stream.For example, referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, RX 2 may process data portion3038 because IDa=10 of the data packet 3000 corresponds to ID=10 forwhich a position information (e.g., PI=[1]) was assigned by the frame,and RX 2 may refrain from processing data portion 3040. As anotherexample, RX 3 may process data portion 3040 because IDb=10 of the datapacket 3000 corresponds to ID=11 for which a position information (e.g.,PI=[1]) was assigned by the frame, and RX 3 may refrain from processingdata portion 3038.

The number of IDs included in the data packet may vary. In someconfigurations, the number of IDs included in the data packet may bebased on the number of IDs that a receiver or destination may beconfigured to receive or process. For example, in the exampleillustrated supra, each of the receivers (e.g., RXs 1-6) is configuredto accommodate values for at least two IDs; accordingly, the data packettransmitted (and thus received by the receivers RXs 1-6) includes atleast two IDs (e.g., IDa and IDb). Because one of ordinary skill in theart understands that receivers may be configured to receiver fewer orgreater numbers of IDs in a single data packet and that transmitters maybe configured to transmit fewer or greater numbers of IDs in a singledata packet, the number of IDs described in the examples provided hereinshall not limit the scope of the claims or disclosure provided herein.

Referring to FIG. 28, at 2810, the receiver may process the first dataportion and refrain from processing any data portions following/afterthe end of the first data portion. For example, referring to FIG. 30, RX2 may process the first (e.g., earlier) data portion 3038 and refrainfrom processing the data portion 3040, which is following/after the endtime 3050. As another example, RX 4 may process the first (e.g.,earlier) data portion 3042 and refrain from processing the data portion3046, which is following/after the end time 3050.

In some configurations, a stack bit may indicate that two or more dataportions are included in at least one space-time stream of the datapacket. For example, referring to FIG. 30, stack bit (SB) 3004 mayindicate that data portions 3038, 3040 are included in a singlespace-time stream (e.g., the space-time stream corresponding to data3030). As another example, the SB 3004 may indicate that data portions3042, 3046 are included in a single space-time stream (e.g., thespace-time stream corresponding to data 3032).

Referring to FIG. 28, at 2812, based on the 2^(nd) ID value or the stackbit, the receiver may determine that the receiver is the destination ofa second (e.g., subsequent) data portion of the two or more dataportions in a single space-time stream of the data packet. For example,as illustrated in table 2906 in FIG. 29, RX 3 is assigned as a member ofID=11. Referring to FIG. 30, the IDb field 3018 of the data packet 3000has a value of 11 (e.g., IDa=11). Because the IDb field 3018 has a value(e.g., IDb=11) that corresponds to the ID (e.g., ID=11) to which RX 3 isassigned, RX 3 may determine that RX 3 is the destination of the second(e.g., subsequent) data portion 3040 of the two data portions 3038, 3040in STS 2. Alternatively, the stack bit (e.g., SB 3004) may includeinformation (e.g., represented generally as x) that indicates that thesecond (e.g., subsequent) data portion 3040 in STS 2 is destined to RX3. Accordingly, RX 3 may determine that RX 3 is the destination of thesecond (e.g., subsequent) data portion 3040 of the two data portions3038, 3040 in STS 2. As another example, as illustrated in table 2912 inFIG. 29, RX 6 is assigned as a member of ID=11. Referring to FIG. 30,the IDb field 3018 of the data packet 3000 has a value of 11 (e.g.,IDa=11). Because the IDb field 3018 has a value (e.g., IDb=11) thatcorresponds to the ID (e.g., ID=11) to which RX 6 is assigned, RX 6 maydetermine that RX 6 is the destination of the second (e.g., subsequent)data portion 3046 of the two data portions 3042, 3046 in STS 3.Alternatively, the stack bit (e.g., SB 3004) may include information(e.g., represented generally as x) that indicates that the second (e.g.,subsequent) data portion 3046 in STS 3 is destined to RX 6. Accordingly,RX 6 may determine that RX 6 is the destination of the second (e.g.,subsequent) data portion 3046 of the two data portions 3042, 3046 in STS3.

Referring to FIG. 28, at 2814, the receiver may determine the start ofthe second data portion based on a timing information in the datapacket. For example, referring to FIG. 30, RX 3 may determine that thestart of the second (e.g., subsequent) data portion 3040 is at time3050. Such a determination may be based on information included in theTA field 3006 of the portion 3002 of the data packet 3000. As anotherexample, RX 6 may determine that the start of the second (e.g.,subsequent) data portion 3046 is at time 3050. Such a determination maybe based on information included in the TA field 3006 of the portion3002 of the data packet 3000.

Referring to FIG. 28, at 2816, the receiver may refrain from processingany data portions preceding the second (e.g., subsequent) data portionand process the second (e.g., subsequent) data portion. For example,referring to FIG. 30, RX 3 may refrain from processing the first (e.g.,earlier) data portion 3040, which precedes the second (e.g., subsequent)data portion 3038. Also, RX 3 may determine to process the second (e.g.,subsequent) data portion 3040. Accordingly, RX 3 may refrain fromprocessing any data portion preceding/before time 3050 and may processat least one data portion starting after/following time 3050. As anotherexample, RX 6 may refrain from processing the first (e.g., earlier) dataportion 3042, which precedes the second (e.g., subsequent) data portion3046. Also, RX 6 may determine to process the second (e.g., subsequent)data portion 3046. Accordingly, RX 3 may refrain from processing anydata portion preceding/before time 3050 and may process at least onedata portion starting after/following time 3050.

Referring to FIG. 28, at 2818, based on the 1^(st) and 2^(nd) ID values,the receiver may determine that the receiver is the destination of thefirst and second data portions of two or more data portions in a singlespace-time stream of the data packet. For example, as illustrated intable 2902 in FIG. 29, RX 1 is assigned as a member of ID=10 and ID=11.Referring to FIG. 30, the IDa field 3008 of the data packet 3000 has avalue of 10 (e.g., IDa=10), and the IDb field 3018 of the data packet3000 has a value of 11 (e.g., IDb=11). Because both the IDa field 3008and the IDb field 3018 have values (e.g., IDa=10 and IDb=11,respectively) that correspond to the IDs (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11) towhich RX 1 is assigned as a member (e.g., MI=1 for ID=10, and MI=1 forID=11), RX 1 may determine that RX 1 is the destination of both thefirst data portion 3036 (e.g., data portion between time 3048 and time3050) and the second data portion 3036 (e.g., data portion between time3050 and time 3052) in STS 1. In this example, the first and secondportions of data 3036 are both destined to the same receiver (e.g., RX1). In this example, the first and second portions of data 3036 arecontiguous. As another example, as illustrated in table 2910 in FIG. 29,RX 5 is assigned as a member of ID=10 and ID=11. Referring to FIG. 30,the IDa field 3008 of the data packet 3000 has a value of 10 (e.g.,IDa=10), and the IDb field 3018 of the data packet 3000 has a value of11 (e.g., IDb=11). Because both the IDa field 3008 and the IDb field3018 have values (e.g., IDa=10 and IDb=11, respectively) that correspondto the IDs (e.g., ID=10 and ID=11) to which RX 5 is assigned as a member(e.g., MI=1 for ID=10, and MI=1 for ID=11), RX 5 may determine that RX 5is the destination of both the first data portion 3044 (e.g., dataportion between time 3048 and time 3050) and the second data portion3044 (e.g., data portion between time 3050 and time 3052) in STS 4. Inthis example, the first and second portions of data 3044 are bothdestined to the same receiver (e.g., RX 5). In this example, the firstand second portions of data 3044 are contiguous.

Referring to FIG. 28, at 2820, the receiver may process the first andsecond data portions. For example, referring to FIG. 30, RX 1 mayprocess first data portion 3036 (e.g., data portion between time 3048and time 3050) and the second data portion 3036 (e.g., data portionbetween time 3050 and time 3052) in STS 1. As another example, RX 5 mayprocess the first data portion 3044 (e.g., data portion between time3048 and time 3050) and the second data portion 3044 (e.g., data portionbetween time 3050 and time 3052) in STS 4.

FIGS. 31A-31C illustrate a comparison between the example data packetsillustrated in FIGS. 21 and 30. In particular, FIG. 31A illustrates therepresentative size of the two data packet 2000, 2050, as describedsupra with respect to FIG. 21. The representative size of thefirst-transmitted data packet 2000 is 2000′, and the represented size ofthe subsequently-transmitted data packet 2050 is 2050′. As discussed ingreater detail supra, wait time (e.g., spacing) 2610 may separate twosequential data packets (e.g., 2000, 2050). FIG. 31B illustrates therepresentative size of a single data packet 3000, as described suprawith respect to FIG. 30. The size of data packet 3000 is 3000′. FIG. 31Cprovides a legend depicting the respective destination of the dataframes shown in FIGS. 31A and 31B.

As illustrated in FIG. 31A with 31B, the data portions destined to theirrespective destination(s) may be transmitted (and thus received) usingthe two data packets 2000, 2050 (see FIG. 31A) or the single data packet3000 (see FIG. 31B). However, a comparison between the two data packets2000, 2050 (see FIG. 31A) and the single data packet 3000 (see FIG. 31B)reveals certain advantages associated with using the single data packet3000.

With respect to the data packet 3000 (see FIG. 31B), all of the dataportions 3036, 3038, 3040, 3042, 3044, 3046 respectively destined to RX1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, RX 6 are transmitted (or received) by time3052. In comparison, with respect to the data packets 2000, 2050 (seeFIG. 31A), all of the data portions 3036, 3038, 3040, 3042, 3044, 3046respectively destined to RX 1, RX 2, RX 3, RX 4, RX 5, RX 6 aretransmitted (or received) by time 2608, which is later than time 3052.

With respect to the data packet 3000 (see FIG. 31B), the data portion3044 destined to RX 5 is transmitted (or received) starting at time3048. In comparison, with respect to the data packets 2000, 2050 (seeFIG. 31A), the data portion 3044 destined to RX 5 is transmitted (orreceived) starting at time 2606, which is later than time 3048.

With respect to the data packet 3000 (see FIG. 31B), the data portion3046 destined to RX 6 is transmitted (or received) starting at time3050. In comparison, with respect to the data packets 2000, 2050 (seeFIG. 31A), the data portion 3046 destined to RX 6 is transmitted (orreceived) starting at time 2606, which is later than time 3050.

As illustrated, the data packet 3000 (see FIG. 31B) allows fortransmission/reception of the same number of data frames as thecombination of data packets 2000, 2050 (see FIG. 31A). However, the dataframes transmitted/received FIG. 31B are included in a single datapacket (e.g., data packet 3000), whereas the data framestransmitted/received in FIG. 31A are included in two data packets (e.g.,data packets 2000, 2050).

A reduction in the number of different data packets provides someadvantages to transmitters and receivers. For example, a transmitter maybe able to conserve computing and power resources because fewer headersmay be needed (due to the fewer number of data packets beingtransmitted/received). Similarly, a receiver may conserve computer andpower resources because fewer headers may need to be processed (due tothe fewer number of data packets being transmitted/received). Also,fewer inter-data packet wait times (e.g., wait time 2610; see FIG. 31A)are needed (due to the fewer number of data packets being transmitted).Accordingly, transmitters may be able to deliver more data in less time,and receivers may be able to receive more data in less time, therebyproviding an opportunity for an increase in throughput. Although certainadvantages have been described herein, additional advantages exist andare readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The foregoing are example configurations and example configurations ofthe present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of theclaims herein. Alternative configurations and embodiments will bereadily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without deviatingfrom the scope of the claims and disclosure provided herein.

In one aspect, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that PIand STS are related to each other. For example, one of ordinary skill inthe art may appreciate that PI=[0] may correspond to STS 1, PI=[1] maycorrespond to STS 2, PI=[2] may correspond to STS 3, and/or PI=[3] maycorrespond to STS 4. One of ordinary skill in the art may alsoappreciate that reciprocal relationships may exist. For example, STS 1may correspond to PI=[0], STS 2 may correspond to PI=[1], STS 3 maycorrespond to PI=[2], and/or STS 4 may correspond to PI=[3]. One ofordinary skill in the art may further appreciate that similarrelationships may exist with respect to any one or more of the figures,illustrations, and disclosures provided herein.

FIG. 32 illustrates an example conceptual data flow diagram of exampleapparatuses having various example modules, means, and/or components.More specifically, FIG. 32 illustrates an example conceptual data flowdiagram of an apparatus 3202 having different modules, means, and/orcomponents. The apparatus 3202 may be one of one or more receivers(e.g., RX₁ through RX_(Z)). Each receiver may be a station, an accesspoint, or any other apparatus configured to receive and/or transmitdata.

The apparatus 3202 may include a receiving module 3204. The apparatus3202 may include a controlling module 3206. The apparatus 3202 mayinclude a processing module 3208. The apparatus 3202 may include atransmission module 3210. The aforementioned modules are described infurther detail infra.

The receiving module 3204 may be configured to receive a frameconfigured to assign at least member information or position informationfor one or more identifiers. The receiving module 3204 may be configuredto receive a data packet associated with a particular identifier andindicating a number of space-time streams for one or more positioninformation.

In some configurations, the frame may be individually-addressed to theapparatus 3202. In some configurations, the frame may be received at atime that is different from a reception time of a different frameaddressed to a different destination. In some configurations, the framemay be received after the apparatus 3202 joins a basic service set. Insome configurations, the frame may be received at a rate based on atleast traffic patterns or channel characteristics.

The transmission module 3210 may be configured to transmit anacknowledgement (ACK) in response to receiving the frame, wherein thedata packet is received after the ACK is transmitted. In someconfigurations, assigning at least the member information or theposition information comprises replacing values stored in the apparatus3202 with values in the frame. In some configurations, the positioninformation is assigned for each of the one or more identifiers to whichthe apparatus 3202 is a member.

The processing module 3208 may be configured to refrain from processingall space-time streams in the data packet when the particular identifierwith which the data packet is associated does not correspond to anidentifier for which a position information was assigned by the frame.In some configurations, the controlling module 3206 may be configured todetermine whether the apparatus 3202 is a destination of one or morespace-time streams in the data packet based on whether the particularidentifier with which the data packet is associated corresponds to atleast one of the identifiers for which a position information wasassigned by the frame. In some configurations, the data packet includesa first portion indicating a number of space-time streams associatedwith a first position information, and a second portion indicating anumber of space-time streams associated with a second positioninformation.

The controlling module 3206 system may be configured to determine anumber of space-time streams in the data packet destined to adestination (e.g., the apparatus 3202) based on the position informationassigned by the frame. The controlling module 3206 may be configured toconsider a number of space-time streams associated with positioninformation different from the position information assigned by theframe to determine which of the space-time streams in the data packetare destined to a destination (e.g., the apparatus 3202). In someconfigurations, a first space-time stream of one or more space-timestreams destined to a first destination begins after a last space-timestream of one or more space-time streams destined to a seconddestination.

In some configurations, the data packet is a multi-user data packet whenthe identifier has one of a first subset of possible values, and thedata packet is a single-user data packet when the identifier has one ofa second subset of possible values. In some configurations, the datapacket includes an abbreviated indication of a destination when the datapacket is a single-user data packet.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol.In configurations, the controlling module 3206 may be configured todifferentiate the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol isquadrature binary phase shift keying (QBPSK)-modulated. In someconfigurations, the controlling module 3206 may be configured todifferentiate the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol hasa 90° counter-clockwise rotation relative to the reference symbol.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a preceding symbol.In some configurations, the controlling module 3206 may be configured todifferentiate the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the preceding symbol andthe reference symbol are binary phase shift keying (BPSK)-modulated. Insome configurations, the controlling module 3206 may be configured todifferentiate the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the reference symbol hasno rotation relative to the preceding symbol.

The controlling module 3206 may be configured to determine whether anumber of data portions destined to different destinations is greaterthan a number of space-time streams available in a single data packet.In some configurations, at least the member information or the positioninformation is assigned by the frame according to a quality of serviceof data destined to a destination (e.g., the apparatus 3202). In someconfigurations, data having a higher quality of service has at least alower contention window, a shorter inter-frame spacing, or a highertransmission opportunity limit relative to data having a lower qualityof service. In some configurations, at least the member information orthe position information is assigned by the frame according to the sizeof data destined to a destination (e.g., the apparatus 3202).

In some configurations, the position information assigned to two or moredestinations is the same for two or more identifiers, wherein the two ormore identifiers correspond to two or more particular identifiers withwhich the data packet is associated. In some configurations, theposition information assigned to one destination is the same for two ormore identifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to twoor more particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated.In some configurations, the data packet may include timing informationindicating at least an end of a first data portion destined to a firstdestination or a beginning of a second data portion destined to a seconddestination, wherein the first and second data portions are included inthe same space-time stream.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated may include a first particular identifier and asecond particular identifier. In such configurations, the data packetmay include at least one space-time stream having a first data portiondestined to a first destination and associated with the first particularidentifier with which the data packet is associated, and a second dataportion destined to a second destination and associated with the secondparticular identifier with which the data packet is associated.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated comprises two or more particular identifiers. Insuch configurations, the processing module 3208 may be configured toprocess a first data portion of two or more data portions in the samespace-time stream when one of the two or more particular identifierswith which the data packet is associated corresponds to an identifierfor which a position information was assigned by the frame, and refrainfrom processing other data portions of the two or more data portions inthe same space-time stream.

In some configurations, a stack bit indicating that two or more dataportions may be included in at least one space-time stream of the datapacket.

FIG. 32 also illustrates an example conceptual data flow diagram of anapparatus 3252 having different modules, means, and/or components. Theapparatus 3252 may be a transmitter (e.g., TX). The transmitter may be astation, an access point, or any other apparatus configured to receiveand/or transmit data.

The apparatus 3252 may include a receiving module 3254. The apparatus3252 may include a controlling module 3256. The apparatus 3252 mayinclude a processing module 3258. The apparatus 3252 may include atransmission module 3260. The aforementioned modules are described infurther detail infra.

The transmission module 3260 may be configured to transmit a frameconfigured to assign at least member information or position informationfor one or more identifiers. The transmission module 3260 may beconfigured to transmit a data packet associated with a particularidentifier and indicating a number of space-time streams for one or moreposition information.

In some configurations, the frame may be individually-addressed to adestination (e.g., the apparatus 3202). In some configurations, theframe may be received at a time that is different from a reception timeof a different frame addressed to a different destination. In someconfigurations, the frame may be received after a destination (e.g., theapparatus 3202) joins a basic service set. In some configurations, theframe may be received at a rate based on at least traffic patterns orchannel characteristics.

The receiving module 3254 may be configured to receive anacknowledgement (ACK) in response to transmitting the frame, wherein thedata packet is received after the ACK is transmitted. In someconfigurations, assigning at least the member information or theposition information comprises replacing values stored in a destination(e.g., the apparatus 3202) with values in the frame. In someconfigurations, the position information is assigned for each of the oneor more identifiers to which a destination (e.g., the apparatus 3202) isa member.

In some configurations, the frame and/or data packet may be configuredsuch that a destination (e.g., a receiver or the apparatus 3202)refrains from processing all space-time streams in the data packet whenthe particular identifier with which the data packet is associated doesnot correspond to an identifier for which a position information wasassigned by the frame. In some configurations, the frame and/or datapacket may be configured such that a receiver (e.g., the apparatus 3202)determines whether the receiver (e.g., the apparatus 3202) is adestination of one or more space-time streams in the data packet basedon whether the particular identifier with which the data packet isassociated corresponds to at least one of the identifiers for which aposition information was assigned by the frame. In some configurations,the data packet includes a first portion indicating a number ofspace-time streams associated with a first position information, and asecond portion indicating a number of space-time streams associated witha second position information.

In some configurations, the frame and/or data packet may be configuredsuch that a destination (e.g., a receiver or the apparatus 3202)determines a number of space-time streams in the data packet destined tothe receiver (e.g., the apparatus 3202) based on the positioninformation assigned by the frame. In some configurations, the frameand/or data packet may be configured such that a receiver considers anumber of space-time streams associated with position informationdifferent from the position information assigned by the frame todetermine which of the space-time streams in the data packet aredestined to the receiver (e.g., the apparatus 3202). In someconfigurations, a first space-time stream of one or more space-timestreams destined to a first destination (e.g., a first receiver or theapparatus 3202) begins after a last space-time stream of one or morespace-time streams destined to a second destination (e.g., a secondreceiver or the apparatus 3202′).

In some configurations, the data packet is a multi-user data packet whenthe identifier has one of a first subset of possible values, and thedata packet is a single-user data packet when the identifier has one ofa second subset of possible values. In some configurations, the datapacket includes an abbreviated indication of a destination when the datapacket is a single-user data packet.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol.In configurations, the frame and/or data packet may be configured suchthat a destination (e.g., a receiver or the apparatus 3202)differentiates the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol isquadrature binary phase shift keying (QBPSK)-modulated. In someconfigurations, the frame and/or data packet may be configured such thata destination (e.g., a receiver or the apparatus 3202) differentiatesthe data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather thana non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol has a 90°counter-clockwise rotation relative to the reference symbol.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a preceding symbol.In some configurations, the frame and/or data packet may be configuredsuch that a destination (e.g., a receiver or the apparatus 3202)differentiates the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the preceding symbol andthe reference symbol are binary phase shift keying (BPSK)-modulated. Insome configurations, the frame and/or data packet may be configured suchthat a destination (e.g., a receiver or the apparatus 3202)differentiates the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the reference symbol hasno rotation relative to the preceding symbol.

In some configurations, the frame and/or data packet may be configuredsuch that a destination (e.g., a receiver or the apparatus 3202)determines whether a number of data portions destined to differentdestinations (e.g., different receivers or apparatuses) is greater thana number of space-time streams available in a single data packet. Insome configurations, at least the member information or the positioninformation is assigned by the frame according to a quality of serviceof data destined to a destination (e.g., a receiver or the apparatus3202). In some configurations, data having a higher quality of servicehas at least a lower contention window, a shorter inter-frame spacing,or a higher transmission opportunity limit relative to data having alower quality of service. In some configurations, at least the memberinformation or the position information is assigned by the frameaccording to the size of data destined to a destination (e.g., areceiver or the apparatus 3202).

In some configurations, the position information assigned to two or moredestinations (e.g., receivers or apparatuses) is the same for two ormore identifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to twoor more particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated.In some configurations, the position information assigned to onedestination (e.g., receiver or apparatus) is the same for two or moreidentifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to two ormore particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated. Insome configurations, the data packet may include timing informationindicating at least an end of a first data portion destined to a firstdestination (e.g., a first receiver or the apparatus 3202) or abeginning of a second data portion destined to a second destination(e.g., a second receiver or the apparatus 3202′), wherein the first andsecond data portions are included in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated may include a first particular identifier and asecond particular identifier. In such configurations, the data packetmay include at least one space-time stream having a first data portiondestined to a first destination (e.g., a first receiver or the apparatus3202) and associated with the first particular identifier with which thedata packet is associated, and a second data portion destined to asecond destination (e.g., a second receiver or the apparatus 3202′) andassociated with the second particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated comprises two or more particular identifiers. Insuch configurations, the frame and/or data packet may be configured suchthat a destination (e.g., a receiver or the apparatus 3202) processes afirst data portion of two or more data portions in the same space-timestream when one of the two or more particular identifiers with which thedata packet is associated corresponds to an identifier for which aposition information was assigned by the frame, and refrains fromprocessing other data portions of the two or more data portions in thesame space-time stream.

In some configurations, a stack bit indicating that two or more dataportions may be included in at least one space-time stream of the datapacket.

The apparatus 3202 may include additional modules that perform each ofthe functions, operations, steps, and/or methods of the algorithmdescribed with respect to the illustrations and specifications providedherein. As such, each function, operation, step, and/or method describedherein may be performed by a module and the corresponding apparatus mayinclude one or more of those modules.

Each of the modules described herein may be one or more hardwarecomponents specifically configured to carry out the statedprocesses/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to performthe stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable mediumfor implementation by a processor, a memory, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 33 illustrates an example hardware implementations of an exampleapparatus 3300 having an example processing system 3302. The apparatus3300 may be a receiver. Accordingly, the processing system 3302 may be acomponent of a receiver. The receiver may be a station, an access point,a base station, a router, a modem, a server, a computing device, or anyother apparatus configured to receive and/or transmit data.

The processing system 3302 may include a bus 3314. The bus 314 mayinclude any number of interconnecting buses and/or bridges depending onthe specific application of the processing system 3302. The bus 3314 mayprovide a connection/link between various circuits and/or components ofthe apparatus 3300, which may include one or more of the following: oneor more processors and/or hardware modules, represented generally by theprocessor 3306; one or more of the modules 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210; oneor more modules of computer-readable medium 3304; and/or one or morememory modules, represented generally by the memory 3308.

The bus 3314 may also provide a link between/to various other circuits,such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and powermanagement circuits, which are well known in the art.

The processing system 3302 may be connected to a transceiver 3310. Thetransceiver 3310 may be connected to one or more antennas 3312. Thetransceiver 3310 provides a means for communicating (e.g., receivingdata and/or transmitting data) with various other apparatus over atransmission medium. For example, the transceiver 3310 may receive asignal from the one or more antennas 3312, extract information from thereceived signal, and provide the extracted information to the processingsystem 3302, specifically the receiving module 3204. The transceiver3310 may receive information from the processing system 3302,specifically the transmission module 3210, and, based on the receivedinformation, generate a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas3312.

The processing system 3302 may include a processor 3306 connected to acomputer-readable medium 3304, which may be non-transitorycomputer-readable medium. The processor 3306 may be responsible forgeneral processing, including the execution of software stored on thecomputer-readable medium 3304. The software, when executed by theprocessor 3306, may cause the processing system 3302 to perform any ofthe previously described functions, methods, steps, features, etc. Thecomputer-readable medium 3304 may also be used for storing data that ismanipulated by the processor 3306 when executing software. Theprocessing system 3302 may further include one or more of the modules3204, 3206, 3208, 3210. Any of the modules 3204, 3206, 3208, 3210 may besoftware modules running in the processor 3306, resident/stored in thecomputer readable medium 3304, one or more hardware modules coupled tothe processor 3306, or some combination thereof.

The processing system 3302 may be configured to receive a frameconfigured to assign at least member information or position informationfor one or more identifiers. The processing system 3302 may beconfigured to receive a data packet associated with a particularidentifier and indicating a number of space-time streams for one or moreposition information.

In some configurations, the frame may be individually-addressed to adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus having the processingsystem 3302). In some configurations, the frame may be received at atime that is different from a reception time of a different frameaddressed to a different destination (e.g., a different receiver orapparatus). In some configurations, the frame may be received after anapparatus (e.g., a receiver) joins a basic service set. In someconfigurations, the frame may be received at a rate based on at leasttraffic patterns or channel characteristics.

The processing system 3302 may be configured to transmit anacknowledgement (ACK) in response to receiving the frame, wherein thedata packet is received after the ACK is transmitted. In someconfigurations, assigning at least the member information or theposition information comprises replacing values stored in a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus having the processing system 3302)with values in the frame. In some configurations, the positioninformation is assigned for each of the one or more identifiers to whicha destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus having the processingsystem 3302) is a member.

The processing system 3302 may be configured to refrain from processingall space-time streams in the data packet when the particular identifierwith which the data packet is associated does not correspond to anidentifier for which a position information was assigned by the frame.The processing system 3302 may be configured to determine whether anapparatus (e.g., a receiver having the processing system 3302) is adestination of one or more space-time streams in the data packet basedon whether the particular identifier with which the data packet isassociated corresponds to at least one of the identifiers for which aposition information was assigned by the frame. In some configurations,the data packet includes a first portion indicating a number ofspace-time streams associated with a first position information, and asecond portion indicating a number of space-time streams associated witha second position information.

The processing system 3302 may be configured to determine a number ofspace-time streams in the data packet destined to an apparatus (e.g., areceiver having the processing system 3302) based on the positioninformation assigned by the frame. The processing system 3302 may beconfigured to consider a number of space-time streams associated withposition information different from the position information assigned bythe frame to determine which of the space-time streams in the datapacket are destined to an apparatus (e.g., a receiver having theprocessing system 3302). In some configurations, a first space-timestream of one or more space-time streams destined to a first destination(e.g., a first receiver or first apparatus having the processing system3302) begins after a last space-time stream of one or more space-timestreams destined to a second destination (e.g., a second receiver orsecond apparatus having the processing system 3302).

In some configurations, the data packet is a multi-user data packet whenthe identifier has one of a first subset of possible values, and thedata packet is a single-user data packet when the identifier has one ofa second subset of possible values. In some configurations, the datapacket includes an abbreviated indication of a destination (e.g., areceiver or an apparatus having the processing system 3302) when thedata packet is a single-user data packet.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol.The processing system 3302 may be configured to differentiate the datapacket as a very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHTdata packet when the subsequent symbol is quadrature binary phase shiftkeying (QBPSK)-modulated. The processing system 3302 may be configuredto differentiate the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol hasa 90° counter-clockwise rotation relative to the reference symbol.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a preceding symbol.The processing system 3302 may be configured to differentiate the datapacket as a very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHTdata packet when the preceding symbol and the reference symbol arebinary phase shift keying (BPSK)-modulated. The processing system 3302may be configured to differentiate the data packet as a very highthroughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when thereference symbol has no rotation relative to the preceding symbol.

The processing system 3302 may be configured to determine whether anumber of data portions destined to different destinations (e.g.,different receiver or different apparatuses) is greater than a number ofspace-time streams available in a single data packet. In someconfigurations, at least the member information or the positioninformation is assigned by the frame according to a quality of serviceof data destined to an apparatus (e.g., a receiver having the processingsystem 3302). In some configurations, data having a higher quality ofservice has at least a lower contention window, a shorter inter-framespacing, or a higher transmission opportunity limit relative to datahaving a lower quality of service. In some configurations, at least themember information or the position information is assigned by the frameaccording to the size of data destined to an apparatus (e.g., a receiverhaving the processing system 3302).

In some configurations, the position information assigned to two or moredestinations (e.g., two or more receivers or apparatuses) is the samefor two or more identifiers, wherein the two or more identifierscorrespond to two or more particular identifiers with which the datapacket is associated. In some configurations, the position informationassigned to one destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus having theprocessing system 3302) is the same for two or more identifiers, whereinthe two or more identifiers correspond to two or more particularidentifiers with which the data packet is associated. In someconfigurations, the data packet may include timing informationindicating at least an end of a first data portion destined to a firstdestination (e.g., a first receiver or a first apparatus having theprocessing system 3302) or a beginning of a second data portion destinedto a second destination (e.g., a second receiver or a second apparatushaving the processing system 3302), wherein the first and second dataportions are included in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated may include a first particular identifier and asecond particular identifier. In such configurations, the data packetmay include at least one space-time stream having a first data portiondestined to a first destination (e.g., a first receiver or a firstapparatus having the processing system 3302) and associated with thefirst particular identifier with which the data packet is associated,and a second data portion destined to a second destination (e.g., asecond receiver or a second apparatus having the processing system 3302)and associated with the second particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated comprises two or more particular identifiers. Theprocessing system 3302 may be configured to process a first data portionof two or more data portions in the same space-time stream when one ofthe two or more particular identifiers with which the data packet isassociated corresponds to an identifier for which a position informationwas assigned by the frame, and to refrain from processing other dataportions of the two or more data portions in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, a stack bit indicating that two or more dataportions may be included in at least one space-time stream of the datapacket.

As described supra, the processing system 3302 may include a processor3306 connected to a computer-readable medium 3304, which may benon-transitory computer-readable medium. The processor 3306 may beresponsible for general processing, including the execution of softwarestored on the computer-readable medium 3304. The software, when executedby the processor 3306, may cause the processing system 3302 to performany of the previously described functions, methods, steps, and functionsdescribed herein. Accordingly, the present disclosure includes computerprogram products including non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving computer-executable program code configured for causing aprocessing system to perform any of the previously described functions,methods, steps, and functions described herein.

A computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for receiving a frame configured to assign at least memberinformation or position information for one or more identifiers. Thecomputer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for receiving a data packet associated with a particular identifierand indicating a number of space-time streams for one or more positioninformation.

In some configurations, the frame may be individually-addressed to adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus having the processingsystem 3302). In some configurations, the frame may be received at atime that is different from a reception time of a different frameaddressed to a different destination (e.g., a different receiver orapparatus). In some configurations, the frame may be received after anapparatus (e.g., a receiver having the processing system 3302) joins abasic service set. In some configurations, the frame may be received ata rate based on at least traffic patterns or channel characteristics.

The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for transmitting an acknowledgement (ACK) in response to receivingthe frame, wherein the data packet is received after the ACK istransmitted. In some configurations, assigning at least the memberinformation or the position information comprises replacing valuesstored in a memory (or computer-readable medium) of a destination (e.g.,a receiver or an apparatus) with values in the frame. In someconfigurations, the position information is assigned for each of the oneor more identifiers to which an apparatus (e.g., a receiver) is amember.

The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for refraining from processing all space-time streams in the datapacket when the particular identifier with which the data packet isassociated does not correspond to an identifier for which a positioninformation was assigned by the frame. The computer program product mayinclude computer-readable medium having code for determining whether anapparatus (e.g., a receiver) is a destination of one or more space-timestreams in the data packet based on whether the particular identifierwith which the data packet is associated corresponds to at least one ofthe identifiers for which a position information was assigned by theframe. In some configurations, the data packet includes a first portionindicating a number of space-time streams associated with a firstposition information, and a second portion indicating a number ofspace-time streams associated with a second position information.

The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for determining a number of space-time streams in the data packetdestined to an apparatus (e.g., a receiver) based on the positioninformation assigned by the frame. The computer program product mayinclude computer-readable medium having code for considering a number ofspace-time streams associated with position information different fromthe position information assigned by the frame to determine which of thespace-time streams in the data packet are destined to an apparatus(e.g., a receiver). In some configurations, a first space-time stream ofone or more space-time streams destined to a first destination beginsafter a last space-time stream of one or more space-time streamsdestined to a second destination.

In some configurations, the data packet is a multi-user data packet whenthe identifier has one of a first subset of possible values, and thedata packet is a single-user data packet when the identifier has one ofa second subset of possible values. In some configurations, the datapacket includes an abbreviated indication of a destination when the datapacket is a single-user data packet.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol.The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for differentiating the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT)data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbolis quadrature binary phase shift keying (QBPSK)-modulated. The computerprogram product may include computer-readable medium having code fordifferentiating the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol hasa 90° counter-clockwise rotation relative to the reference symbol.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a preceding symbol.The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for differentiating the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT)data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when the preceding symboland the reference symbol are binary phase shift keying (BPSK)-modulated.The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for differentiating the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT)data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when the reference symbolhas no rotation relative to the preceding symbol.

The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for determining whether a number of data portions destined todifferent destinations (e.g., receivers or apparatuses) is greater thana number of space-time streams available in a single data packet. Insome configurations, at least the member information or the positioninformation is assigned by the frame according to a quality of serviceof data destined to a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus). Insome configurations, data having a higher quality of service has atleast a lower contention window, a shorter inter-frame spacing, or ahigher transmission opportunity limit relative to data having a lowerquality of service. In some configurations, at least the memberinformation or the position information is assigned by the frameaccording to the size of data destined to a destination (e.g., areceiver or an apparatus).

In some configurations, the position information assigned to two or moredestinations (e.g., receivers or apparatuses) is the same for two ormore identifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to twoor more particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated.In some configurations, the position information assigned to onedestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) is the same for two ormore identifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to twoor more particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated.In some configurations, the data packet may include timing informationindicating at least an end of a first data portion destined to a firstdestination (e.g., a first receiver or first apparatus) or a beginningof a second data portion destined to a second destination (e.g., asecond receiver or second apparatus), wherein the first and second dataportions are included in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated may include a first particular identifier and asecond particular identifier. In such configurations, the data packetmay include at least one space-time stream having a first data portiondestined to a first destination (e.g., a first receiver or a firstapparatus) and associated with the first particular identifier withwhich the data packet is associated, and a second data portion destinedto a second destination (e.g., a second receiver or a second apparatus)and associated with the second particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated comprises two or more particular identifiers. Thecomputer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for processing a first data portion of two or more data portions inthe same space-time stream when one of the two or more particularidentifiers with which the data packet is associated corresponds to anidentifier for which a position information was assigned by the frame,and for refraining from processing other data portions of the two ormore data portions in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, a stack bit indicating that two or more dataportions may be included in at least one space-time stream of the datapacket.

As described supra, the apparatus 3300 may be a receiver. The receivermay be a station, an access point, a base station, a router, a modem, aserver, a computing device, or any other apparatus configured to receiveand/or transmit data.

The receiver may provide a means for receiving a frame configured toassign at least member information or position information for one ormore identifiers. The receiver may provide a means for receiving a datapacket associated with a particular identifier and indicating a numberof space-time streams for one or more position information.

In some configurations, the frame may be individually-addressed to adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus). In some configurations,the frame may be received at a time that is different from a receptiontime of a different frame addressed to a different destination (e.g., adifferent receiver or different apparatus). In some configurations, theframe may be received after the receiver joins a basic service set. Insome configurations, the frame may be received at a rate based on atleast traffic patterns or channel characteristics.

The receiver may provide a means for transmitting an acknowledgement(ACK) in response to receiving the frame, wherein the data packet isreceived after the ACK is transmitted. In some configurations, assigningat least the member information or the position information comprisesreplacing values stored in an apparatus (e.g., a receiver) with valuesin the frame. In some configurations, the position information isassigned for each of the one or more identifiers to which an apparatus(e.g., a receiver) is a member.

The receiver may provide a means for refraining from processing allspace-time streams in the data packet when the particular identifierwith which the data packet is associated does not correspond to anidentifier for which a position information was assigned by the frame.The receiver may provide a means for determining whether an apparatus(e.g., a receiver) is a destination of one or more space-time streams inthe data packet based on whether the particular identifier with whichthe data packet is associated corresponds to at least one of theidentifiers for which a position information was assigned by the frame.In some configurations, the data packet includes a first portionindicating a number of space-time streams associated with a firstposition information, and a second portion indicating a number ofspace-time streams associated with a second position information.

The receiver may provide a means for determining a number of space-timestreams in the data packet destined to an apparatus (e.g., a receiver)based on the position information assigned by the frame. The receivermay provide a means for considering a number of space-time streamsassociated with position information different from the positioninformation assigned by the frame to determine which of the space-timestreams in the data packet are destined to an apparatus (e.g., areceiver). In some configurations, a first space-time stream of one ormore space-time streams destined to a first destination (e.g., a firstreceiver or first apparatus) begins after a last space-time stream ofone or more space-time streams destined to a second destination (e.g., asecond receiver or second apparatus).

In some configurations, the data packet is a multi-user data packet whenthe identifier has one of a first subset of possible values, and thedata packet is a single-user data packet when the identifier has one ofa second subset of possible values. In some configurations, the datapacket includes an abbreviated indication of a destination when the datapacket is a single-user data packet.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol.The receiver may provide a means for differentiating the data packet asa very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHT datapacket when the subsequent symbol is quadrature binary phase shiftkeying (QBPSK)-modulated. The receiver may provide a means fordifferentiating the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol hasa 90° counter-clockwise rotation relative to the reference symbol.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a preceding symbol.The receiver may provide a means for differentiating the data packet asa very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHT datapacket when the preceding symbol and the reference symbol are binaryphase shift keying (BPS K)-modulated. The receiver may provide a meansfor differentiating the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the reference symbol hasno rotation relative to the preceding symbol.

The receiver may provide a means for determining whether a number ofdata portions destined to different destinations is greater than anumber of space-time streams available in a single data packet. In someconfigurations, at least the member information or the positioninformation is assigned by the frame according to a quality of serviceof data destined to an apparatus (e.g., a receiver). In someconfigurations, data having a higher quality of service has at least alower contention window, a shorter inter-frame spacing, or a highertransmission opportunity limit relative to data having a lower qualityof service. In some configurations, at least the member information orthe position information is assigned by the frame according to the sizeof data destined to an apparatus (e.g., a receiver).

In some configurations, the position information assigned to two or moredestinations (e.g., receivers or apparatuses) is the same for two ormore identifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to twoor more particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated.In some configurations, the position information assigned to onedestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) is the same for two ormore identifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to twoor more particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated.In some configurations, the data packet may include timing informationindicating at least an end of a first data portion destined to a firstdestination (e.g., a first receiver or a first apparatus) or a beginningof a second data portion destined to a second destination (e.g., asecond receiver or a second apparatus), wherein the first and seconddata portions are included in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated may include a first particular identifier and asecond particular identifier. In such configurations, the data packetmay include at least one space-time stream having a first data portiondestined to a first destination (e.g., a first receiver or firstapparatus) and associated with the first particular identifier withwhich the data packet is associated, and a second data portion destinedto a second destination (e.g., a second receiver or second apparatus)and associated with the second particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated comprises two or more particular identifiers. Thereceiver may provide a means for processing a first data portion of twoor more data portions in the same space-time stream when one of the twoor more particular identifiers with which the data packet is associatedcorresponds to an identifier for which a position information wasassigned by the frame, and for refraining from processing other dataportions of the two or more data portions in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, a stack bit indicating that two or more dataportions may be included in at least one space-time stream of the datapacket.

Any of the aforementioned means may be performed by one or more of theaforementioned modules of the apparatus 3300 and/or the processingsystem 3302 of the apparatus 3300 as configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means. The processing system 3302 may alsoinclude a transmission processor and a reception processor. Although theterm “receiver” or “RX” may be used herein, it will be understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art that “receiver” and/or “RX” may also referto a station, an access point, a base station, a router, a modem, aserver, a computing device, or any other apparatus configured to receiveand/or transmit data.

FIG. 34 illustrates an example hardware implementation of anotherexample apparatus 3400 having an example processing system 3402. Theapparatus 3400 may be a transmitter. Accordingly, the processing system3402 may be a component of a transmitter. The transmitter may be astation, an access point, a base station, a router, a modem, a server, acomputing device, or any other apparatus configured to receive and/ortransmit data.

The processing system 3402 may include a bus 3414. The bus 314 mayinclude any number of interconnecting buses and/or bridges depending onthe specific application of the processing system 3402. The bus 3414 mayprovide a connection/link between various circuits and/or components ofthe apparatus 3400, which may include one or more of the following: oneor more processors and/or hardware modules, represented generally by theprocessor 3406; one or more of the modules 3254, 3256, 3258, 3260; oneor more modules of computer-readable medium 3404; and/or one or morememory modules, represented generally by the memory 3408.

The bus 3414 may also provide a link between/to various other circuits,such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and powermanagement circuits, which are well known in the art.

The processing system 3402 may be connected to a transceiver 3410. Thetransceiver 3410 may be connected to one or more antennas 3412. Thetransceiver 3410 provides a means for communicating (e.g., receivingdata and/or transmitting data) with various other apparatuses over atransmission medium. For example, the transceiver 3410 may receive asignal from the one or more antennas 3412, extract information from thereceived signal, and provide the extracted information to the processingsystem 3402, specifically the receiving module 3254. The transceiver3410 may receive information from the processing system 3402,specifically the transmission module 3260, and, based on the receivedinformation, generate a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas3412.

The processing system 3402 may include a processor 3406 connected to acomputer-readable medium 3404, which may be non-transitorycomputer-readable medium. The processor 3406 may be responsible forgeneral processing, including the execution of software stored on thecomputer-readable medium 3404. The software, when executed by theprocessor 3406, may cause the processing system 3402 to perform any ofthe previously described functions, methods, steps, features, etc. Thecomputer-readable medium 3404 may also be used for storing data that ismanipulated by the processor 3406 when executing software. Theprocessing system 3402 may further include one or more of the modules3254, 3256, 3258, 3260. Any of the modules 3254, 3256, 3258, 3260 may besoftware modules running in the processor 3406, resident/stored in thecomputer readable medium 3404, one or more hardware modules coupled tothe processor 3406, or some combination thereof.

The processing system 3402 may be configured to transmit a frameconfigured to assign at least member information or position informationfor one or more identifiers. The processing system 3402 may beconfigured to transmit a data packet associated with a particularidentifier and indicating a number of space-time streams for one or moreposition information.

In some configurations, the frame may be individually-addressed to adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus). In some configurations,the frame may be transmitted at a time that is different from atransmission time of a different frame addressed to a differentdestination (e.g., a different receiver or a different apparatus). Insome configurations, the frame may be transmitted after a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) joins a basic service set. In someconfigurations, the frame may be transmitted at a rate based on at leasttraffic patterns or channel characteristics.

The processing system 3402 may be configured to receive anacknowledgement (ACK) in response to transmitting the frame, wherein thedata packet is transmitted after the ACK is received. In someconfigurations, assigning at least the member information or theposition information comprises replacing values stored in a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) with values in the frame. In someconfigurations, the position information is assigned for each of the oneor more identifiers to which a destination (e.g., a receiver or anapparatus) is a member.

The frame and/or data packet may be configured such that a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) refrains from processing allspace-time streams in the data packet when the particular identifierwith which the data packet is associated does not correspond to anidentifier for which a position information was assigned by the frame.The frame and/or data packet may be configured such that a receiver(e.g., an apparatus) determines whether the receiver (e.g., theapparatus) is the destination of one or more space-time streams in thedata packet based on whether the particular identifier with which thedata packet is associated corresponds to at least one of the identifiersfor which a position information was assigned by the frame. In someconfigurations, the data packet includes a first portion indicating anumber of space-time streams associated with a first positioninformation, and a second portion indicating a number of space-timestreams associated with a second position information.

The frame and/or data packet may be configured such that a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) determines a number of space-timestreams in the data packet destined to a destination (e.g., a receiveror an apparatus) based on the position information assigned by theframe. The frame and/or data packet may be configured such that adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) considers a number ofspace-time streams associated with position information different fromthe position information assigned by the frame to determine which of thespace-time streams in the data packet are destined to the destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus). In some configurations, a firstspace-time stream of one or more space-time streams destined to a firstdestination (e.g., a first receiver or first apparatus) begins after alast space-time stream of one or more space-time streams destined to asecond destination (e.g., a second receiver or second apparatus).

In some configurations, the data packet is a multi-user data packet whenthe identifier has one of a first subset of possible values, and thedata packet is a single-user data packet when the identifier has one ofa second subset of possible values. In some configurations, the datapacket includes an abbreviated indication of a destination (e.g., areceiver or an apparatus) when the data packet is a single-user datapacket.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol.The frame and/or data packet may be configured such that a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) differentiates the data packet as avery high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHT data packetwhen the subsequent symbol is quadrature binary phase shift keying(QBPSK)-modulated. The frame and/or data packet may be configured suchthat a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) differentiates thedata packet as a very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than anon-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol has a 90°counter-clockwise rotation relative to the reference symbol.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a preceding symbol.The frame and/or data packet may be configured such that a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) differentiates the data packet as avery high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHT data packetwhen the preceding symbol and the reference symbol are binary phaseshift keying (BPSK)-modulated. The frame and/or data packet may beconfigured such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus)differentiates the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the reference symbol hasno rotation relative to the preceding symbol.

The frame and/or data packet may be configured such that a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) determines whether a number of dataportions destined to different destinations (e.g., different receiversor different apparatuses) is greater than a number of space-time streamsavailable in a single data packet. In some configurations, at least themember information or the position information is assigned by the frameaccording to a quality of service of data destined to a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus). In some configurations, data havinga higher quality of service has at least a lower contention window, ashorter inter-frame spacing, or a higher transmission opportunity limitrelative to data having a lower quality of service. In someconfigurations, at least the member information or the positioninformation is assigned by the frame according to the size of datadestined to a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus).

In some configurations, the position information assigned to two or moredestinations (e.g., receivers or apparatuses) is the same for two ormore identifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to twoor more particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated.In some configurations, the position information assigned to onedestination (e.g., apparatus or receiver) is the same for two or moreidentifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to two ormore particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated. Insome configurations, the data packet may include timing informationindicating at least an end of a first data portion destined to a firstdestination (e.g., a first receiver or a first apparatus) or a beginningof a second data portion destined to a second destination (e.g., asecond receiver or a second apparatus), wherein the first and seconddata portions are included in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated may include a first particular identifier and asecond particular identifier. In such configurations, the data packetmay include at least one space-time stream having a first data portiondestined to a first destination (e.g., a first receiver or firstapparatus) and associated with the first particular identifier withwhich the data packet is associated, and a second data portion destinedto a second destination (e.g., a second receiver or second apparatus)and associated with the second particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated comprises two or more particular identifiers. Theframe and/or data packet may be configured such that a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) processes a first data portion of twoor more data portions in the same space-time stream when one of the twoor more particular identifiers with which the data packet is associatedcorresponds to an identifier for which a position information wasassigned by the frame, and refrains from processing other data portionsof the two or more data portions in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, a stack bit indicating that two or more dataportions may be included in at least one space-time stream of the datapacket.

As described supra, the processing system 3402 may include a processor3406 connected to a computer-readable medium 3404, which may benon-transitory computer-readable medium. The processor 3406 may beresponsible for general processing, including the execution of softwarestored on the computer-readable medium 3404. The software, when executedby the processor 3406, may cause the processing system 3402 to performany of the previously described functions, methods, steps, and functionsdescribed herein. Accordingly, the present disclosure includes computerprogram products including non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving computer-executable program code configured for causing aprocessing system to perform any of the previously described functions,methods, steps, and functions described herein.

A computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for transmitting a frame configured to assign at least memberinformation or position information for one or more identifiers. Thecomputer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for transmitting a data packet associated with a particularidentifier and indicating a number of space-time streams for one or moreposition information.

In some configurations, the frame may be individually-addressed to adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus). In some configurations,the frame may be transmitted at a time that is different from atransmission time of a different frame addressed to a different receiveror destination. In some configurations, the frame may be transmittedafter a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) joins a basicservice set. In some configurations, the frame may be transmitted at arate based on at least traffic patterns or channel characteristics.

The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for receiving an acknowledgement (ACK) in response to transmittingthe frame, wherein the data packet is received after the ACK istransmitted. In some configurations, assigning at least the memberinformation or the position information comprises replacing valuesstored in a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) with valuesin the frame. In some configurations, the position information isassigned for each of the one or more identifiers to which a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) is a member.

The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for configuring the frame and/or data packet such that adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) processes all space-timestreams in the data packet when the particular identifier with which thedata packet is associated does not correspond to an identifier for whicha position information was assigned by the frame. The computer programproduct may include computer-readable medium having code for configuringthe frame and/or data packet such that a receiver (e.g., an apparatus)determines whether the receiver (e.g., the apparatus) is the destinationof one or more space-time streams in the data packet based on whetherthe particular identifier with which the data packet is associatedcorresponds to at least one of the identifiers for which a positioninformation was assigned by the frame. In some configurations, the datapacket includes a first portion indicating a number of space-timestreams associated with a first position information, and a secondportion indicating a number of space-time streams associated with asecond position information.

The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for configuring the frame and/or data packet such that adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) determines a number ofspace-time streams in the data packet destined to a destination (e.g., areceiver or an apparatus) based on the position information assigned bythe frame. The computer program product may include computer-readablemedium having code for configuring the frame and/or data packet suchthat a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) considers a numberof space-time streams associated with position information differentfrom the position information assigned by the frame to determine whichof the space-time streams in the data packet are destined to adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus). In some configurations,a first space-time stream of one or more space-time streams destined toa first destination (e.g., first receiver or first apparatus) beginsafter a last space-time stream of one or more space-time streamsdestined to a second destination (e.g., second receiver or secondapparatus).

In some configurations, the data packet is a multi-user data packet whenthe identifier has one of a first subset of possible values, and thedata packet is a single-user data packet when the identifier has one ofa second subset of possible values. In some configurations, the datapacket includes an abbreviated indication of a destination (e.g., areceiver or an apparatus) when the data packet is a single-user datapacket.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol.The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for configuring the frame and/or data packet such that adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) differentiates the datapacket as a very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHTdata packet when the subsequent symbol is quadrature binary phase shiftkeying (QBPSK)-modulated. The computer program product may includecomputer-readable medium having code for configuring the frame and/ordata packet such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus)differentiates the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol hasa 90° counter-clockwise rotation relative to the reference symbol.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a preceding symbol.The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for configuring the frame and/or data packet such that adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) differentiates the datapacket as a very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHTdata packet when the preceding symbol and the reference symbol arebinary phase shift keying (BPSK)-modulated. The computer program productmay include computer-readable medium having code for configuring theframe and/or data packet such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or anapparatus) differentiates the data packet as a very high throughput(VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when the referencesymbol has no rotation relative to the preceding symbol.

The computer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for configuring the frame and/or data packet such that adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) determines whether anumber of data portions destined to different destinations (e.g.,different receivers or different apparatuses) is greater than a numberof space-time streams available in a single data packet. In someconfigurations, at least the member information or the positioninformation is assigned by the frame according to a quality of serviceof data destined to a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus). Insome configurations, data having a higher quality of service has atleast a lower contention window, a shorter inter-frame spacing, or ahigher transmission opportunity limit relative to data having a lowerquality of service. In some configurations, at least the memberinformation or the position information is assigned by the frameaccording to the size of data destined to a destination (e.g., areceiver or an apparatus).

In some configurations, the position information assigned to two or moredestinations (e.g., receiver or apparatuses) is the same for two or moreidentifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to two ormore particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated. Insome configurations, the position information assigned to onedestination (e.g., receiver or apparatus) is the same for two or moreidentifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to two ormore particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated. Insome configurations, the data packet may include timing informationindicating at least an end of a first data portion destined to a firstdestination (e.g., a first receiver or first apparatus) or a beginningof a second data portion destined to a second destination (e.g., asecond receiver or second apparatus), wherein the first and second dataportions are included in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated may include a first particular identifier and asecond particular identifier. In such configurations, the data packetmay include at least one space-time stream having a first data portiondestined to a first destination (e.g., a first receiver or firstapparatus) and associated with the first particular identifier withwhich the data packet is associated, and a second data portion destinedto a second destination (e.g., a second receiver or second apparatus)and associated with the second particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated comprises two or more particular identifiers. Thecomputer program product may include computer-readable medium havingcode for configuring the frame and/or data packet such that adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) processes a first dataportion of two or more data portions in the same space-time stream whenone of the two or more particular identifiers with which the data packetis associated corresponds to an identifier for which a positioninformation was assigned by the frame, and refrains from processingother data portions of the two or more data portions in the samespace-time stream.

In some configurations, a stack bit indicating that two or more dataportions may be included in at least one space-time stream of the datapacket.

As described supra, the apparatus 3400 may be a transmitter. Thetransmitter may be a station, an access point, a base station, a router,a modem, a server, a computing device, or any other apparatus configuredto receive and/or transmit data.

The transmitter may provide a means for transmitting a frame configuredto assign at least member information or position information for one ormore identifiers. The transmitter may provide a means for transmitting adata packet associated with a particular identifier and indicating anumber of space-time streams for one or more position information.

In some configurations, the frame may be individually-addressed to adestination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus). In some configurations,the frame may be transmitted at a time that is different from atransmission time of a different frame addressed to a differentdestination (e.g., a different receiver or a different apparatus). Insome configurations, the frame may be transmitted after a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) joins a basic service set. In someconfigurations, the frame may be transmitted at a rate based on at leasttraffic patterns or channel characteristics.

The transmitter may provide a means for receiving an acknowledgement(ACK) in response to transmitting the frame, wherein the data packet istransmitted after the ACK is received. In some configurations, assigningat least the member information or the position information comprisesreplacing values stored in a destination (e.g., a receiver or anapparatus) with values in the frame. In some configurations, theposition information is assigned for each of the one or more identifiersto which a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) is a member.

The transmitter may provide a means for configuring the frame and/ordata packet such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus)refrains from processing all space-time streams in the data packet whenthe particular identifier with which the data packet is associated doesnot correspond to an identifier for which a position information wasassigned by the frame. The transmitter may provide a means forconfiguring the frame and/or data packet such that a destination (e.g.,a receiver or an apparatus) determines whether it is a destination ofone or more space-time streams in the data packet based on whether theparticular identifier with which the data packet is associatedcorresponds to at least one of the identifiers for which a positioninformation was assigned by the frame. In some configurations, the datapacket includes a first portion indicating a number of space-timestreams associated with a first position information, and a secondportion indicating a number of space-time streams associated with asecond position information.

The transmitter may provide a means for configuring the frame and/ordata packet such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus)determines a number of space-time streams in the data packet destined toa destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) based on the positioninformation assigned by the frame. The transmitter may provide a meansfor configuring the frame and/or data packet such that a destination(e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) considers a number of space-timestreams associated with position information different from the positioninformation assigned by the frame to determine which of the space-timestreams in the data packet are destined to a destination (e.g., areceiver or an apparatus). In some configurations, a first space-timestream of one or more space-time streams destined to a first destination(e.g., a first receiver or a first apparatus) begins after a lastspace-time stream of one or more space-time streams destined to a seconddestination (e.g., a second receiver or a second apparatus).

In some configurations, the data packet is a multi-user data packet whenthe identifier has one of a first subset of possible values, and thedata packet is a single-user data packet when the identifier has one ofa second subset of possible values. In some configurations, the datapacket includes an abbreviated indication of a destination (e.g., areceiver or an apparatus) when the data packet is a single-user datapacket.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol.The transmitter may provide a means for configuring the frame and/ordata packet such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus)differentiates the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol isquadrature binary phase shift keying (QBPSK)-modulated. The transmittermay provide a means for configuring the frame and/or data packet suchthat a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus) differentiates thedata packet as a very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than anon-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol has a 90°counter-clockwise rotation relative to the reference symbol.

The data packet may include a reference symbol and a preceding symbol.The transmitter may provide a means for configuring the frame and/ordata packet such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus)differentiates the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the preceding symbol andthe reference symbol are binary phase shift keying (BPSK)-modulated. Thetransmitter may provide a means for configuring the frame and/or datapacket such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus)differentiates the data packet as a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the reference symbol hasno rotation relative to the preceding symbol.

The transmitter may provide a means for configuring the frame and/ordata packet such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus)determines whether a number of data portions destined to differentdestinations (e.g., different receiver or different apparatuses) isgreater than a number of space-time streams available in a single datapacket. In some configurations, at least the member information or theposition information is assigned by the frame according to a quality ofservice of data destined to a destination (e.g., a receiver or anapparatus). In some configurations, data having a higher quality ofservice has at least a lower contention window, a shorter inter-framespacing, or a higher transmission opportunity limit relative to datahaving a lower quality of service. In some configurations, at least themember information or the position information is assigned by the frameaccording to the size of data destined to a destination (e.g., areceiver or an apparatus).

In some configurations, the position information assigned to two or moredestinations (e.g., receiver or apparatuses) is the same for two or moreidentifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to two ormore particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated. Insome configurations, the position information assigned to onedestination (e.g., receiver or apparatus) is the same for two or moreidentifiers, wherein the two or more identifiers correspond to two ormore particular identifiers with which the data packet is associated. Insome configurations, the data packet may include timing informationindicating at least an end of a first data portion destined to a firstdestination (e.g., a first receiver or first apparatus) or a beginningof a second data portion destined to a second destination (e.g., asecond receiver or second apparatus), wherein the first and second dataportions are included in the same space-time stream.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated may include a first particular identifier and asecond particular identifier. In such configurations, the data packetmay include at least one space-time stream having a first data portiondestined to a first destination (e.g., a first receiver or a firstapparatus) and associated with the first particular identifier withwhich the data packet is associated, and a second data portion destinedto a second destination (e.g., a second receiver or a second apparatus)and associated with the second particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated.

In some configurations, the particular identifier with which the datapacket is associated comprises two or more particular identifiers. Thetransmitter may provide a means for configuring the frame and/or datapacket such that a destination (e.g., a receiver or an apparatus)processes a first data portion of two or more data portions in the samespace-time stream when one of the two or more particular identifierswith which the data packet is associated corresponds to an identifierfor which a position information was assigned by the frame, and refrainsfrom processing other data portions of the two or more data portions inthe same space-time stream.

In some configurations, a stack bit indicating that two or more dataportions may be included in at least one space-time stream of the datapacket.

Any of the aforementioned means may be performed by one or more of theaforementioned modules of the apparatus 3400 and/or the processingsystem 3402 of the apparatus 3400 as configured to perform the functionsrecited by the aforementioned means. Although the term “transmitter” or“TX” may be used herein, it will be understood by one of ordinary skillin the art that “transmitter” and/or “TX” may also refer to a station,an access point, a base station, a router, a modem, a server, acomputing device, or any other apparatus configured to receive and/ortransmit data.

Several aspects of communication systems are presented herein withreference to various apparatus, methods, and computer program products.These apparatus, methods, and computer program products are described inthe detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings byvarious blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes,algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as “elements”). Theseelements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computersoftware, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements areimplemented as hardware and/or software may depend upon the particularapplication and/or design constraints imposed on the overallcommunication system.

By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or anycombination of elements may be implemented with a “processing system”that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors includemicroprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices(PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, andother suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalitydescribed throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in theprocessing system may execute software. Software shall be construedbroadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments,program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications,software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines,objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc.,whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode,hardware description language, or otherwise.

Accordingly, in one or more exemplary configurations, the functionsdescribed may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or anycombination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may bestored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computerstorage media. Computer storage media may be any available media thatcan be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation,such computer-readable media may comprise a random-access memory (RAM),a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM), compact disk ROM (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othermedium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in theform of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by acomputer. Combinations of the foregoing may also be included within thescope of computer-readable media. Also, combinations of the foregoingmay also be included within the scope of memory.

It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that thespecific order or hierarchy of the processes disclosed herein isprovided for illustrative and exemplary purposes. Based upon designpreferences, one of ordinary skill in the art understands that thespecific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may bere-arranged. Further, some processes may be combined or omitted. Theaccompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in asample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order orhierarchy presented. Accordingly, the scope of the claims shall not beconstrued as limited to the examples provided herein, unless acorresponding feature is expressly recited in the claims.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate and understand that a‘receiver’ may also sometimes refer to a ‘destination’ (and vice versa)and that such terms may be used interchangeably to refer to a similarconcept. Accordingly, the use of one of these terms with respect tocertain examples, illustrations, and/or descriptions provided hereinshall not be construed as preferred over or to the exclusion of anotherone of these terms. As described in further detail supra, in someconfigurations, a receiver may be a destination of a particular datapacket. As also described in further detail supra, in someconfigurations, a receiver may not be a destination of that particulardata packet (but that same receiver may or may not be a destination of adifferent data packet).

Anything described herein with respect to a receiver may also beperformed by any other equivalent apparatus, processing system includedin an apparatus, or code included in non-transitory computer-readablemedium included in a computer program product. For example, a processingsystem included in an apparatus may be configured in an equivalentmanner with respect to the disclosure provided herein with respect to areceiver. Also, code included in non-transitory computer-readable mediumincluded in a computer program product may be configured in anequivalent manner with respect to the disclosure provided herein.

One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the featuresdescribed with respect to a transmitter may apply to a transmitterand/or a receiver. In some configurations, a transmitter may beconfigured to transmit data in the manner described herein with respectto a transmitter. In some configurations, a receiver may be configuredto transmit data in the manner described herein with respect to atransmitter. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thefeatures described with respect to a receiver may apply to a transmitterand a receiver. In some configurations, a receiver may be configured toreceive data in the manner described herein with respect to a receiver.In some configurations, a transmitter may be configured to receive datain the manner described herein with respect to a receiver.

Some or all of the features described herein with respect to a receivermay be applied to a transmitter. For example, if a receiver has aparticular feature and/or is configured to receive one or more signals(e.g., a frame, a data packet, a symbol, information, etc.), atransmitter may have similar features and/or may be configured totransmit one or more similar signals (e.g., a frame, a data packet, asymbol, information, etc.). Accordingly, even though the disclosuresprovided herein may be provided with respect to a receiver forillustrative and non-limiting purposes, one of ordinary skill in the artwill understand that a transmitter may also be configured to havesimilar or related features.

Some or all of the features described herein with respect to atransmitter may be applied to a receiver. For example, if a transmitterhas a particular feature and/or is configured to transmit one or moresignals (e.g., a frame, a data packet, a symbol, information, etc.), areceiver may have similar features and/or may be configured to receiveone or more similar signals (e.g., a frame, a data packet, a symbol,information, etc.). Accordingly, even though the disclosures providedherein may be provided with respect to a transmitter for illustrativeand non-limiting purposes, one of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that a receiver may also be configured to have similar orrelated features.

All aspects disclosed herein with respect to a receiver are hereby alsodisclosed with respect to any apparatus, method, and/or computer programproduct that is in accordance with such aspects. All aspects disclosedherein with respect to a transmitter are hereby also disclosed withrespect to any apparatus, method, and computer program product that isin accordance with such aspects.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one ormore. Combinations such as “at least A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B,or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combinationthereof” include any combination of A, B, and/or C, which may includeany one of the following possibilities: (i) one or more of A; (ii) oneor more of B; (iii) one or more of C; (iv) one or more of A and one ormore of B; (v) one or more of A and one or more of C; (vi) one or moreof B and one or more of C; or (vii) one or more of A, one or more of B,and one or more of C.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousaspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or latercome to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expresslyincorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed bythe claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure isexplicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed asa means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using thephrase “means for.”

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various aspects described herein. Variousmodifications to these aspects are readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied toother aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to theaspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistentwith the language claims, wherein reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specificallyso stated, but rather “one or more.” The word “exemplary” is used hereinto mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspectdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects.”

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for communication, theapparatus comprising: a memory; and at least one processor associatedwith the memory and configured to: transmit a frame configured to assignfirst position information for a first identifier; and transmit a datapacket associated with a second identifier, wherein the data packetcomprises a number of space-time streams associated with the firstposition information and destined to a destination, the data packetfurther comprising a number of space-time streams associated with secondposition information, the second position information comprising a valuedifferent from a value of the first position information, the number ofspace-time streams associated with the second position informationdetermining which one or more space-time streams in the data packet isdestined to the destination, the data packet further comprising a dataportion configured to be processed at the destination when the secondidentifier with which the data packet is associated corresponds to thefirst identifier for which the first position information was assignedby the frame.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame isindividually addressed to the destination.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the data portion is further configured not to be processed atthe destination when the second identifier with which the data packet isassociated does not correspond to the first identifier for which thefirst position information was assigned by the frame.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein one or more space-time streams in the data packet isdestined to the destination when the second identifier with which thedata packet is associated corresponds to the first identifier for whichthe first position information was assigned by the frame.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more space-time streams destined toa first destination begins concurrently with one or more space-timestreams destined to a second destination different from the firstdestination.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data packet is amulti-user data packet when the second identifier has one of a firstsubset of values, and wherein the data packet is a single-user datapacket when the second identifier has one of a second subset of values.7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data packet further comprises areference symbol and a subsequent symbol, wherein the data packet is avery high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHT data packetwhen the subsequent symbol has a 90° counter-clockwise rotation relativeto the reference symbol.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a numberof data portions destined to one or more destinations is greater than anumber of space-time streams available in a single data packet.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the data packet further comprises timinginformation indicating at least an end of a data portion destined to afirst destination or a beginning of a data portion destined to a seconddestination.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame is furtherconfigured to replace one or more values stored at the destination withone or more values in the frame.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinat least one space-time stream in the data packet comprises a first dataportion destined to a first destination and a second data portiondestined to a second destination.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe frame is transmitted to the destination at a first time differentfrom a second time at which a second frame addressed to anotherdestination is transmitted.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedata packet includes an abbreviated indication of the destination whenthe data packet is a single-user data packet.
 14. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the first position information is assigned by the frameaccording to a quality of service of data destined to the destination.15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame is further configured toassign position information for each identifier to which the destinationis a member.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data packetfurther comprises: a first portion indicating a number of space-timestreams associated with the first position information; and a secondportion indicating a number of space-time streams associated with thesecond position information.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinposition information assigned to a first destination is the same asposition information assigned to a second destination.
 18. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the data packet further comprises a stack bitindicating that two or more data portions are included in at least onespace-time stream of the data packet.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein one or more space-time streams in the data packet are configurednot to be processed at the destination when the second identifier withwhich the data packet is associated does not correspond to the firstidentifier for which the first position information was assigned by theframe.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the number of space-timestreams destined to the destination is based on the first positioninformation assigned by the frame.
 21. A method for communication, themethod comprising: transmitting a frame configured to assign firstposition information for a first identifier; and transmitting a datapacket associated with a second identifier, wherein the data packetcomprises a number of space-time streams associated with the firstposition information and destined to a destination, the data packetfurther comprising a number of space-time streams associated with secondposition information, the second position information comprising a valuedifferent from a value of the first position information, the number ofspace-time streams associated with the second position informationdetermining which one or more space-time streams in the data packet isdestined to the destination, the data packet further comprising a dataportion configured to be processed at the destination when the secondidentifier with which the data packet is associated corresponds to thefirst identifier for which the first position information was assignedby the frame.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the frame isindividually addressed to the destination.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein the data portion is further configured not to be processed atthe destination when the second identifier with which the data packet isassociated does not correspond to the first identifier for which thefirst position information was assigned by the frame.
 24. The method ofclaim 21, wherein one or more space-time streams in the data packet isdestined to the destination when the second identifier with which thedata packet is associated corresponds to the first identifier for whichthe first position information was assigned by the frame.
 25. The methodof claim 21, wherein one or more space-time streams destined to a firstdestination begins concurrently with one or more space-time streamsdestined to a second destination different from the first destination.26. The method of claim 21, wherein the data packet is a multi-user datapacket when the second identifier has one of a first subset of values,and wherein the data packet is a single-user data packet when the secondidentifier has one of a second subset of values.
 27. The method of claim21, wherein the data packet further comprises a reference symbol and asubsequent symbol, wherein the data packet is a very high throughput(VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequentsymbol has a 90° counter-clockwise rotation relative to the referencesymbol.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein a number of data portionsdestined to one or more destinations is greater than a number ofspace-time streams available in a single data packet.
 29. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the data packet further comprises timing informationindicating at least an end of a data portion destined to a firstdestination or a beginning of a data portion destined to a seconddestination.
 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the frame is furtherconfigured to replace one or more values stored at the destination withone or more values in the frame.
 31. The method of claim 21, wherein atleast one space-time stream in the data packet comprises a first dataportion destined to a first destination and a second data portiondestined to a second destination.
 32. The method of claim 21, whereinthe frame is transmitted to the destination at a first time differentfrom a second time at which a second frame addressed to anotherdestination is transmitted.
 33. The method of claim 21, wherein the datapacket includes an abbreviated indication of the destination when thedata packet is a single-user data packet.
 34. The method of claim 21,wherein the first position information is assigned by the frameaccording to a quality of service of data destined to the destination.35. The method of claim 21, wherein the frame is further configured toassign position information for each identifier to which the destinationis a member.
 36. The method of claim 21, wherein the data packet furthercomprises: a first portion indicating a number of space-time streamsassociated with the first position information; and a second portionindicating a number of space-time streams associated with the secondposition information.
 37. The method of claim 21, wherein positioninformation assigned to a first destination is the same as positioninformation assigned to a second destination.
 38. The method of claim21, wherein the data packet further comprises a stack bit indicatingthat two or more data portions are included in at least one space-timestream of the data packet.
 39. The method of claim 21, wherein one ormore space-time streams in the data packet are configured not to beprocessed at the destination when the second identifier with which thedata packet is associated does not correspond to the first identifierfor which the first position information was assigned by the frame. 40.The method of claim 21, wherein the number of space-time streamsdestined to the destination is based on the first position informationassigned by the frame.
 41. An apparatus for communication, the apparatuscomprising: means for transmitting a frame configured to assign firstposition information for a first identifier; and means for transmittinga data packet associated with a second identifier, wherein the datapacket comprises a number of space-time streams associated with thefirst position information and destined to a destination, the datapacket further comprising a number of space-time streams associated withsecond position information, the second position information comprisinga value different from a value of the first position information, thenumber of space-time streams associated with the second positioninformation determining which one or more space-time streams in the datapacket is destined to the destination, the data packet furthercomprising a data portion configured to be processed at the destinationwhen the second identifier with which the data packet is associatedcorresponds to the first identifier for which the first positioninformation was assigned by the frame.
 42. The apparatus of claim 41,wherein the frame is individually addressed to the destination.
 43. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein the data portion is further configurednot to be processed at the destination when the second identifier withwhich the data packet is associated does not correspond to the firstidentifier for which the first position information was assigned by theframe.
 44. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein one or more space-timestreams in the data packet is destined to the destination when thesecond identifier with which the data packet is associated correspondsto the first identifier for which the first position information wasassigned by the frame.
 45. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein one ormore space-time streams destined to a first destination beginsconcurrently with one or more space-time streams destined to a seconddestination different from the first destination.
 46. The apparatus ofclaim 41, wherein the data packet is a multi-user data packet when thesecond identifier has one of a first subset of values, and wherein thedata packet is a single-user data packet when the second identifier hasone of a second subset of values.
 47. The apparatus of claim 41, whereinthe data packet further comprises a reference symbol and a subsequentsymbol, wherein the data packet is a very high throughput (VHT) datapacket rather than a non-VHT data packet when the subsequent symbol hasa 90° counter-clockwise rotation relative to the reference symbol. 48.The apparatus of claim 41, wherein a number of data portions destined toone or more destinations is greater than a number of space-time streamsavailable in a single data packet.
 49. The apparatus of claim 41,wherein the data packet further comprises timing information indicatingat least an end of a data portion destined to a first destination or abeginning of a data portion destined to a second destination.
 50. Theapparatus of claim 41, wherein the frame is further configured toreplace one or more values stored at the destination with one or morevalues in the frame.
 51. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein at least onespace-time stream in the data packet comprises a first data portiondestined to a first destination and a second data portion destined to asecond destination.
 52. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the frame istransmitted to the destination at a first time different from a secondtime at which a second frame addressed to another destination istransmitted.
 53. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the data packetincludes an abbreviated indication of the destination when the datapacket is a single-user data packet.
 54. The apparatus of claim 41,wherein the first position information is assigned by the frameaccording to a quality of service of data destined to the destination.55. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the frame is further configuredto assign position information for each identifier to which thedestination is a member.
 56. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the datapacket further comprises: a first portion indicating a number ofspace-time streams associated with the first position information; and asecond portion indicating a number of space-time streams associated withthe second position information.
 57. The apparatus of claim 41, whereinposition information assigned to a first destination is the same asposition information assigned to a second destination.
 58. The apparatusof claim 41, wherein the data packet further comprises a stack bitindicating that two or more data portions are included in at least onespace-time stream of the data packet.
 59. The apparatus of claim 41,wherein one or more space-time streams in the data packet are configurednot to be processed at the destination when the second identifier withwhich the data packet is associated does not correspond to the firstidentifier for which the first position information was assigned by theframe.
 60. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the number of space-timestreams destined to the destination is based on the first positioninformation assigned by the frame.
 61. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising code for: transmitting a frameconfigured to assign first position information for a first identifier;and transmitting a data packet associated with a second identifier,wherein the data packet comprises a number of space-time streamsassociated with the first position information and destined to adestination, the data packet further comprising a number of space-timestreams associated with second position information, the second positioninformation comprising a value different from a value of the firstposition information, the number of space-time streams associated withthe second position information determining which one or more space-timestreams in the data packet is destined to the destination, the datapacket further comprising a data portion configured to be processed atthe destination when the second identifier with which the data packet isassociated corresponds to the first identifier for which the firstposition information was assigned by the frame.
 62. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the frame is individuallyaddressed to the destination.
 63. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 61, wherein the data portion is further configured notto be processed at the destination when the second identifier with whichthe data packet is associated does not correspond to the firstidentifier for which the first position information was assigned by theframe.
 64. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 61,wherein one or more space-time streams in the data packet is destined tothe destination when the second identifier with which the data packet isassociated corresponds to the first identifier for which the firstposition information was assigned by the frame.
 65. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein one or more space-timestreams destined to a first destination begins concurrently with one ormore space-time streams destined to a second destination different fromthe first destination.
 66. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 61, wherein the data packet is a multi-user data packet whenthe second identifier has one of a first subset of values, and whereinthe data packet is a single-user data packet when the second identifierhas one of a second subset of values.
 67. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the data packet furthercomprises a reference symbol and a subsequent symbol, wherein the datapacket is a very high throughput (VHT) data packet rather than a non-VHTdata packet when the subsequent symbol has a 90° counter-clockwiserotation relative to the reference symbol.
 68. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein a number of data portionsdestined to one or more destinations is greater than a number ofspace-time streams available in a single data packet.
 69. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the datapacket further comprises timing information indicating at least an endof a data portion destined to a first destination or a beginning of adata portion destined to a second destination.
 70. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the frame is furtherconfigured to replace one or more values stored at the destination withone or more values in the frame.
 71. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein at least one space-timestream in the data packet comprises a first data portion destined to afirst destination and a second data portion destined to a seconddestination.
 72. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim61, wherein the frame is transmitted to the destination at a first timedifferent from a second time at which a second frame addressed toanother destination is transmitted.
 73. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the data packet includesan abbreviated indication of the destination when the data packet is asingle-user data packet.
 74. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 61, wherein the first position information is assigned by theframe according to a quality of service of data destined to thedestination.
 75. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim61, wherein the frame is further configured to assign positioninformation for each identifier to which the destination is a member.76. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein thedata packet further comprises: a first portion indicating a number ofspace-time streams associated with the first position information; and asecond portion indicating a number of space-time streams associated withthe second position information.
 77. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein position informationassigned to a first destination is the same as position informationassigned to a second destination.
 78. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the data packet furthercomprises a stack bit indicating that two or more data portions areincluded in at least one space-time stream of the data packet.
 79. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein one or morespace-time streams in the data packet are configured not to be processedat the destination when the second identifier with which the data packetis associated does not correspond to the first identifier for which thefirst position information was assigned by the frame.
 80. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 61, wherein the numberof space-time streams destined to the destination is based on the firstposition information assigned by the frame.